Can he tell I've googled him?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I recently started talking to a guy online and as I do with a lot of people I meet online I've googled him. Thing is, he has a personal website (he knows I've looked at this multiple times and passed the link around my friends) and I'm now paranoid that he can tell I've googled him by checking my IP address or using tracking software and possibly seeing which websites (that he's a member of) I've been in before going into his. Is it possible for him to track where I've been and tell I've googled him? His website uses cookies but not sure exactly what they can reveal. Getting v paranoid now! Not as if I'm an actual stalker, would never hang around outside someone's house or anything but surely I'm not the only one who does this! He has recently made his FB pics friends only so am wondering if he knows I've been looking...

I'm not bothered if he can tell I've been on his website but will be hugely embarrassed if he can tell I was looking at his Twitter etc a few seconds before I logged onto his personal site! Oh, man.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[UnderDriven]

IP addresses can be tracked if the web page and web server are properly configured. However, an IP address does not necessarily reveal your identity. It is possible to identify your ISP and your general location from an IP address, but that's about it unless you have had personal interactions with this person (sent them email for example) which could give allow them to associate your IP address with you...

Now if the person is really skilled they can do a lot more, if they are patient and motivated. Don't assume that anything you do on the Internet is secret, unless you know it is encrypted...

[Asker]

I searched for my IP address and the location wasn't very near where I am, it was in a place maybe 10 min drive away. He's got a link to his website on his dating profile and elsewhere so technically someone else could have been looking him up. Do you know if they can tell by what windows you have open on your pc or does it have to be a direct link from one website to his? I've not emailed him but I did register on his website, so he can maybe tell that way?

[UnderDriven]

No one can tell what windows you have open on your PC, unless they have installed some spying software on your computer. If that is the case, they can see everything you do on your computer. This can happen if someone has access to your computer or you download a virus, malware, or spyware. I'm not sure what you mean by "register on his website," but if you provided your identity online then it is possible to establish a link between you and your IP address (not guaranteed, but possible)...

[Asker]

Thanks for all the comments, people! We've been texting a bit over the past couple of days and he's not mentioned anything. So, I'm going to assume everything's OK. Will try and stop googling him though, lol.

[Theguyoverthere]

I don't think so. It depends on if he hosts the website or if it is a third party hosting I think on someone's server.

Honestly, googling before a date is smart. I run phone numbers through Facebook and have caught married women online wanting to "date" me.

[Asker]

I'm not sure if he hosts it himself or not. I did (stupidly perhaps) register on his website for info so not sure if that pins me down or not! Not so concerned about him knowing I've been on his site, it's the whole possible notification of multiple googlings that worry me lol. It's pure curiousity, he's very active online and it's interesting to see what he's like personality wise. But that kind of thing would probably be seen as v creepy to a guy!

[Theguyoverthere]

Even if he gets multiple notifications it could just look like you refreshed the page a few times when it didn't load or something which would cue it to make you appear in whatever list multiple times.

[Cromartie]

1. He could tell, it is possible to trace who is looking at what, provided he had access to that information by just going to your house and seeing your router.

2. That takes more effort than it worth and he probably isn't even half-interested in trying to hide the universe from you.

3. If he's seen you in person it's likely obvious that you're cyberstalking him.

[Asker]

He's never been in my house. We have met, however. He's pretty active online so I guess that kind of thing is fair game. Just hate to think he knows I've searched for him!

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that they have a software where you can track if people search you up. Anyway, unless he have that, then you don't have to worry. To me, that is a bit of a stalker move.

answer mine please? link

[Asker]

That's what I was wondering about. He's a computer geek so it's entirely possible! :/