Where Does My Computer Save Web Pages I Visited?

Browsers save the user's browsing history.

Web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome, save the Web pages and documents that a user has recently accessed. Some users will find this useful to quickly recall websites that interest them.

Function

A browser saves the user's Web history. Browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer allow the user to search her browsing history or view pages visited during specific time periods--usually on a daily or weekly basis. Firefox also allows users to see the most commonly viewed Web pages. Users can access history directly from their browser.

Benefits

Stored browser history enables the user to more readily find websites or documents that she may already have visited. Modern browsers, including Firefox and Google Chrome, will show relevant history entries when the user types a Web page name or address into his address bar. Because the browser saves history as a part of the user's profile--for example, bookmarks and history are located in the "places.sqlite " in a Firefox user's profile--she can copy her profile to a new computer or uninstall the program without losing her data.

Warning

If another user has access to a person's computer, the second person may be able to see websites that the computer owner has visited. If the user has visited sites and would prefer that others cannot track his history, he should clear his history frequently.

Prevention/Solution

Browsers keep history for a maximum period of time, and the user can change this time period by editing his browser's options. Additionally, users can immediately clear browser history--and other personal data--in browsers, including Firefox and Internet Explorer.

References

• Google: Delete past searches
• Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101: Browser Basics: History
• State University of New York at Cortland: Web Browser Basics
• Mozilla: Profiles