Is it possible to be traced back to your own house just by clicking on a website?

Question

i just had a randomn though about how safe the net actually is

Answer 1

your IP can be traced. But only to your ISP. If your were hacking into government networks, or similar illegal activity, then your IP would be traced to your ISP. And with your ISP's cooperation they would trace your IP to you, and then you go to jail.

Edit. In response to Irishman's answer,  the police do not need a subpoena, it depends on the ISP's, and the police's relationship.

My source: my friend who got his internet records turned over to the police, because he hacked a pedophiles computer(he fried it). And it turned out that the police were monitoring the computer that he hacked so they went to the ISP and got access to his records. How did he find out: he used the freedom of information act, or something similar to it, to gain access to their files on him. During that time a rival ISP was trying to make the people that were using the ISP, and so my friend threatened, to go to the media(if that happened the ISP would have gone out of business overnight) about what happened, and take them to court. so the ISP settled out of court with him.

Answer 2

Yes, they log your IP, then contact your ISP with a subpoena, the ISP then gives them them the information they have on file for you.

The important thing to note here is that not just anyone can do this, they have to have a subpoena and to get that they have to have a reason and be a law enforcement entity or government agency.

Answer 3

Yes, you can. I don't think anyone will come after you unless you're doing something totally weird though.