How to Permanently Delete The Internet Browsing History On a PC

In order to maximize your privacy on a shared computer it's important that you permanently delete the internet browsing history along with any available search records. With access to this information, someone could potentially gain access to your email and online accounts as well as find personal information about you that you may have accidentally left online. Implement the steps below to permanently delete your browsing history and secure your online details.

Instructions

1. Delete your cookies first. These are the files that store some of your most sensitive information about sites that you've visited and your other online activities. Most browsers have an option under the "tools" menu to accomplish the complete erasure of these files.

2. Erase any temporary internet files that may be stored in your browser. Most temporary files that exist in your browser are to assist it in processing the inflow of information from a site that you are currently browsing, but in the hands of a tech savvy person these files could potentially expose some of your personal details. The option to delete these files will also generally be in the "tools" tab near the "delete cookies" button.

3. Clear your search history. Doing this will prevent prying eyes from determining the queries that you've submitted to any type of search engine. Some browsers have a separate button on their toolbar to do this, while others require you to navigate into the internet options menu. Explore both of these possibilities until you've found the correct option for your type of browser.

4. Make sure that the browser contains no record of your passwords. One of the worst things that you can do is leave your passwords saved in the browser and then allow someone else to use the computer without your supervision. This would allow them to have direct access to all of your online accounts including your email and anything else that is secured by a password. To erase these and make sure that the browser isn't saving them any longer, navigate to the security settings menu on your browser menu bar and select the option to "clear saved passwords" and then uncheck the box that says "remember my passwords" to finalize the process. Depending upon your specific browser those phrases may be worded slightly different, but it will be obvious what the correct selection is.

5. Wipe out all of the form data that your browser has acquired. Any time that you type something in a box online such as an email login your browser can save that form data and automatically enter it at a later time. While this is a great convenience factor on your own computer, it can present a major problem on a shared computer. Find the security menu on your browser and select "clear form data" in order to permanently erase this information. Again, depending upon the software version of the browser that you're using it may be worded differently, but you shouldn't have any trouble determining the appropriate choice.