Disclaimer:  The presentation of the following information is in no way intended to guarantee that someone won’t be able to garner information stored on your computer.  The procedures listed are routines provided by the browsers.

As you use your computer on the Internet, the browser you use is continually creating and modifying files concerning the sites you visit.  These files have many purposes such as remembering log-in information, providing you with a means to revisit sites quickly, and so on.  These files are useful in many cases, but they can be used by others to track where you go and what you do on the Internet.  If you feel you are in danger and someone may use this stored information in an abusive manner, you may want take steps to delete as much of this information as you can.  Each browser provides tools to allow you to clear most of the information that it creates/modifies.

Internet Explorer

§  Go to the "Tools" menu and and select the "Internet Options" item.

§  In the window that displays, click on "General" tab.

§  Under the "History" heading, click on the "Clear History" button and click "YES" when you are asked "Are you sure you want Windows to delete your history of visited Web sites?"

§  Under the "Temporary Internet Files", click on the "Delete Cookies..." button and click "OK" when you are asked "Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder?"

§  Under the "Temporary Internet Files", click on the "Delete Files..." button. When the window displays with a check box by "Delete all offline content," check that box and click the "OK" button.

Internet Explorer 7

§  Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Delete Browsing History..."

§  In the Delete Browsing History window ,either click the "Delete All" button or click “Delete…” buttons for the individual types of data you want to delete.

You can also choose “Internet Options” in the “Tools” command and delete browse history from there as well.

Mozilla/FireFox

§  Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Clear Private Data..."

§  In the Clear Private Data window, check the items you want to clear and click the "Clear Private Data Now" button.

Opera

§  Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Delete Private Data..."

§  In the Delete private data window , click the "Details" button.

§  Check the items you want to delete and click the “Delete” button.

Safari

§  Go to the "Edit" menu and select "Reset Safari..."

§  In the Reset Safari window that displays, check the items you want to delete and click the “Reset” button.

It doesn’t require computer programming or other special skills to monitor someone’s computer activities.  There are many ways to monitor activities and virtually anyone can do it.  If you suspect your activities are being monitored, it might be safer to use “non-personal” computers such as those at public libraries, community technology centers, a trusted friends house, or an internet café.

Page last updated:  05/20/2008