Can I prove somebody visited a website?¶

You may be able to prove that a device, account or network requested material from the site. Proving that a particular person deliberately navigated there requires more context.

Separate the stages¶

A DNS lookup may show name resolution. A network connection shows contact with an address. A server log may show a requested hostname and path. Browser history or cached page material can support activity on a device.

None alone proves the user consciously chose or read the site. Applications can contact domains in the background, pages load third-party resources, link-preview services fetch URLs and malware generates traffic.

Think of a telephone record: it can show that two numbers connected, but not automatically who held the handset or understood the conversation.

Evidence of deliberate navigation may include a typed URL, relevant search immediately beforehand, repeated page-specific requests, interaction, saved credentials, downloads or surrounding messages. Link those events to the device user at the time.

Be precise in the conclusion: distinguish contact with the domain, request for a page, rendering on a device, interaction and personal attribution.