Uploaded October 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Websites can and do record a variety of information about you as you use them. Anything that generates a HTTP request can be recorded, and modern browsers typically send along a variety of information that can be used to identify the browser and operating system. In some cases user IP address can be used to at least identify a coarse-grained location. How much information sites actually retain is a function of how valuable the information is and how they plan on using it.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://blue.cse.buffalo.edu) production.
Websites can and do record a variety of information about you as you use them. Anything that generates a HTTP request can be recorded, and modern browsers typically send along a variety of information that can be used to identify the browser and operating system. In some cases user IP address can be used to at least identify a coarse-grained location. How much information sites actually retain is a function of how valuable the information is and how they plan on using it.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://blue.cse.buffalo.edu) production.
