“Of Mice and Megabytes Supplement”

CLEANING UP YOUR COMPUTER OF ‘CYBER CRUMBS’
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I recently received a request from a security-conscious reader wanting to know how to keep his computer clean of information stored as a result of his Web surfing. He wanted to be sure his computer’s contents would reveal little about where he’s been and what he’s done. So, in this week’s issue, I’ll tackle the subject of clearing your computer of these “cyber crumbs” that have been accumulating ever since your first foray onto the Internet.

But first, a little background: As you flit around from one Web site to another, your computer stores information and other files. Much of what is collected is innocuous. Some files, called cookies, are useful and necessary for remembering, say, your customized site preferences. Conversely, small programs can be downloaded unknowing and can be used deceitfully to track your cyber moves, reporting it back to, well, who knows where. This virtual trail could prove embarrassing especially if you have a nosey ________ (insert your own answer: neighbor, parent, boss, wife, probation officer, etc.).

By default, your browser saves temporary files, cookies and passwords, and keeps a log of your ‘Net journeys. Here are some instructions for those wanting to clear their computer of this information. 

INTERNET EXPLORER
Click Tools, then Internet Options.

Temporary files: Click the General tab. Under Temp Internet Files, click Delete Cookies, and then click Delete Files.

History: Click Clear History and select the number of days to keep the page links.

Security: Next, click the Privacy tab. Adjust the security level slider accordingly.

AutoComplete, forms, and passwords: Lastly, click the Content tab, then AutoComplete. Configure IE for the situations you want or don’t want AutoComplete to be used. If you want to delete the forms and password information on your computer, click the corresponding button.

Click OK when finished.

NETSCAPE
Click Edit, then Preferences.

History: Click the arrow next to Navigator (to display the underlying options). Click Clear History and choose the number of days to save the list of previously visited pages. Also select the number of pages in Session History.

Temporary Internet files: Click the arrow next to Advanced. Click Cache, then Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Cache.

Cookies, Privacy: Click the arrow next to Privacy & Security, then Cookies, then Manage Stored Cookies. In the Stored Cookies tab, click Remove All Cookies. Click OK. On this screen, set your privacy level by selecting first the Enable Cookies Based On Privacy Settings, then View. Select a level, then OK.

Autocomplete: To disable the Autocomplete function, click the arrow next to Navigator, then Smart Browsing. Remove the checkmark from “Location Bar Autocomplete” box.

Quick tip: An excessive amount of temporary Internet files can adversely affect Web page downloads. It’s a good practice to occasionally clear your hard disk of these files. (This is according to a Microsoft support techie.) Keep in mind, too, some Web sites will deny you access if cookies aren’t enabled.

MAC OS X
In Internet Explorer, click Preferences to access options for browser display, web content, language/fonts, subscription, java, download options, cookies, etc. To clear or view your history, click Windows, then History.

Re-printed from the Rafu Shimpo, February 2003. Copyright©2003 Rafu Shimpo. All rights reserved.