Can inappropriate website data be logged without going on those sites?

Question

Can inappropriate website data be logged without going on those sites?

I found several of them logged in the website data on my husband's iPad. He says he has no idea where they came from, and says the worst articles he's gone on are ones like "best and worst beach bodies". You know the type of article. But here's the thing. Some of the websites logged on there were major p**n sites. Well known ones that if you're a human being, you've probably heard the names of. I told him that if he's looking at those things, I would still work with him on it, but he still says he has no idea how they got there. Technically he didn't get the device new, but he has cleared history and website data a couple times. I myself tried to clear the data. Most of them went away, but several stuck, specifically the big name ones, but the rest (the names made them obvious what they were) cleared properly.

So I guess the question is, can those websites end up on the website data without actually going on them, and if the history is cleared, why do some websites stay in the website data and others get cleared?

Posted on Apr 12, 2016 6:58 AM

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Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Apr 13, 2016 2:36 PM in response to ForgottenGold

Hello ForgottenGold,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

I understand that you're trying to clear some stored information from Safari on an iPad. I suggest that not only does he clear the history and website data, but also removes all website data:

Clear information from your device

To clear your history and cookies from Safari in iOS 8 or later, tap Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. In iOS 7 or earlier, tap Clear History and tap Clear Cookies and Data.

To clear other stored information from Safari, tap Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data.

Clearing your history, cookies, and browsing data from Safari won't change your AutoFill information.

To visit sites without leaving a history, learn how to turn private browsing on or off.

Safari web settings on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

I also suggest making sure that Anti-phishing is enabled, and also look into getting a Content Blocker:

Turn on Anti-phishing and Content Blockers

To turn Anti-phishing on, tap Settings > Safari and turn on Fraudulent Website Warning. When it's on, the Anti-phishing feature in Safari will show an alert if the site you're visiting is a suspected phishing site. To turn it off, tap Fraudulent Website Warning again.

Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to steal your personal information, such as passwords, account information, or user names. A fraudulent website masquerades as a legitimate one, such as a bank, financial institution, or email service provider.

With iOS 9, Safari brings Content Blockers. Content Blockers are extensions that let Safari efficiently block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content.

To turn on Content Blockers, you need to download a content blocking app from the App Store. Tap Settings > Safari > Content Blockers and enable the extensions that you’d like to use. You can use more than one content blocker.

You need an iPhone 5s or later to use Content Blockers.

Take care.

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