Erasing Google searches

[Red Paul]

Does anyone know how to do that?

I don't mean erasing your browser's history of which sites you've visited. That's easy enough. I mean fixing it so that when you start typing in a word, Google doesn't helpfully supply earlier words that you searched for -- such as the names of escort agencies.

If anyone knows, you'd be helping me out.

 

[Rod Blagojevich]

I think eliminating your search history also eliminates the google searches, there is also a google search history attached to your google e-mail name but you need a password to access that

 

[Mod 11]

It can be your browser cache. Also, most browsers have an option to remember searches and such. I personally uses FireFox in Permanent Private Browsing mode: that takes care of everything at once.

 

[G1GBallday]

Does anyone know how to do that?

I don't mean erasing your browser's history of which sites you've visited. That's easy enough. I mean fixing it so that when you start typing in a word, Google doesn't helpfully supply earlier words that you searched for -- such as the names of escort agencies.

If anyone knows, you'd be helping me out.

I can think of two things causing this.

1) In Internet Explorer:

- select TOOLS from the menu bar
- select INTERNET OPTIONS
- click on the CONTENT tab
- select SETTINGS in the AUTOCOMPLETE section and change settings accordingly.


2) If you have the Google tool bar installed, at the far right next to the sign in option there is a little wrench. Click it and uncheck "suggest searches as you type" under search features on the general tab.

 

[sinbad]

I use google chrome. If you go "incognito" there is no search history recorded. I suppose the info is hidden away somewhere on the hard drive, but this seems to work O.K.

sinbad

 

[Red Paul]

Thanks, fellas ... but I guess I should specify that I use Safari. Anyone know how to tackle the problem on that browser?

I did follow Mod's advice on Firefox, my backup browser, and it worked just fine.

 

[Daiko]

If you have a google account and you're logged in when doing searches, make sure to change the default settings in your google account search history to "don't save my history" or something of the sort. When you're about to browse naughty web sites (escorts, porn, etc), make sure to switch to private mode in your browser where history (and more) is not saved. I think Safari has something like Chrome called "private browsing".

 

[Red Paul]

Thanks, Daiko. I think I followed your advice and it looks like I got results.

 

[Techman]

If you're worried about someone tracking your surfing habits, just download portableapps from www.portableapps.com and install it on a thumbdrive. With this you can install portable versions of Firefox, Chrome, Opera and other lesser known browsers, just pick your fave. All your surfing history remains on the flash drive so when you're done, just unplug it and you're safe. Another advantage is that you can carry it around with you and have all your favourites at your fingertips on any system, anywhere. If you want to use your home system and keep it clean, most browsers have a private browsing option. The private browsing feature in Internet Explorer 9 erases all traces of your session when you close it. In IE9, just click on Safety and then InPrivate Browsing or hit CTRL+SHIFT+P and away you go.

 

[Red Paul]

That's a good idea about the thumbdrive -- simple enough that I should have thought of it. I'm sure the IE advice is good too, but I have a Mac.