privacy help

[bo4msog]

Hi, guys:

I am trying to keep it discreet in my hobbying activities including my internet searches. I don't want people to know where I've been on the internet. On Google, when I type in, say, "celine's fantasies," it stays in the computer. If I click on the little up-side-down triangle next to the open back on Googel, I can see "celine's fantasies" as well as other words that I used for various searches. How do I get rid of the key words in my searches on my computer, so I leave no evidence of my hobbying? Thanks.

 

[CaptRenault]

In Internet Explorer: Tools-->Internet Options-->Content-->Auto complete
-->Uncheck all boxes and click "clear forms."

Also, on the first page of Internet Options, click "clear history."

 

[bo4msog]

more help

Hi, Capt:

I did what you suggested but it didn't do what I want. Maybe I did not explain it clearly. The content that I want to get rid of is in the rectangular box next to Google. For example, when I type, say, Montreal, the word "Montreal" stays in the box when I click on the up-side-down "V," on the right hand side of Google. My worry is that when other people, especially SO, click on the up-side-down "V," they will know which site I visited. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gee]

Hi, Capt:

I did what you suggested but it didn't do what I want. Maybe I did not explain it clearly. The content that I want to get rid of is in the rectangular box next to Google. For example, when I type, say, Montreal, the word "Montreal" stays in the box when I click on the up-side-down "V," on the right hand side of Google. My worry is that when other people, especially SO, click on the up-side-down "V," they will know which site I visited. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Okay, can you give us a screen shot of what you are talking about, because nowhere in google is there an upside-down v

 

[bo4msog]

problem solved

Hi, guys:

Thanks for your help. I just solved the problem. I'm using my inlaw's computer where Google search is part of the IE's homepage. I just un-select "drop down search history" to get rid of my search history. Capt. I got the idea from your suggestion. Now, I can sleep a little better. Have a good day.

 

[Just-ass-weet]

You should install Firefox

I love it! Well, except when I have to figure out the username I used somewhere, or the url of the page I loved, or... well, you get it. lol

xoxox
Anik

 

[agentleman27]

Invest in a software

bo4msog,

I could start with "errare humane est" to err is human. This why you should invest in a software erasing traces(you just have to justify to the other users as a "security" tool). I strongly recommend automatic tools because even if I am sure the techniques mentionned works, you might forget to execute the said techniques. You might be in a game where "one strike you are out".

Webroot "Window Washer" seems to do the job. I personnaly cannot vouch for it but being PC Magazine editor's choice in normally a good sign.

A27

 

[Avery]

Crap Cleaner works really well, and it's free:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

The only thing it won't clean is Google search history, but you know how to do that now anyway.

 

[Voyager]

101 Fabulous Freebies

Computer Software freebies, not the other kind!

Here's a list of freeware that covers all of the bases from privacy (thread topic) to various utilities (audio & video) and applications.

http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=124883&page=16&type=table&zoomIdx=38

Someone might find a useful piece here...

Regards,

Voyager

 

[Voyager]

Firefox

Spidey,

You would be much better with Firefox

And Firefox happens to be on their list with the recommendation of PCWorld "Still using Internet Explorer? It's time you made the switch to Firefox--a more secure, faster, and more flexible Web browser."

Hopefully their other suggestions are just as good.

I already have quite a few of the items, but I downloaded CCleaner & OpenOffice.org (MS Office clone) which both look decent.

Voyager

 

[Kepler]

As others have mentionned, you really should be using Firefox, which is much easier to configure for privacy.

To clear everything (including that drop down box), just hold down "Ctrl-Shift-Delete" simultaneously.

It also has an automatic "clear private data" option built right in, which clears everything every time you exit the browser.

One last note: If you're using IE, there is absolutely no way to truly clear your surfing and search history. Everything you do in IE is permanently stored in an undeleteable file called "index.dat".

There are free utilities specifically designed to 'browse' through this file and reveal a user's full web surfing history.

More info: http://www.acesoft.net/delete_index.dat_files.htm (there is a program available on that website. I've never tried it, so use it at your own risk)