How to Monitor Web History
Monitoring web history on a regular basis can be an integral part of keeping your computer safe and secure. Work and home computers will both benefit from a daily and weekly check into what websites your computer browser has visited, helping you keep tabs on whether someone else is using your computer. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers have all made checking web history a simple task.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome browser installed.
Instructions
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Internet Explorer
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Open Internet Explorer.
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Click "Tools" then "Internet Options." This will open the Internet Options window.
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On the Internet Options window, click the "General" tab. Make sure you see the section titled Browsing history.
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In the Browsing history section, click the "Settings" button. This will open the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window.
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On the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window, click the "View" files button. This will open the Temporary Internet Files folder, where you can see copies of the web pages, images, and media your computer has visited. Peruse the Name and Internet Address sections for anything that doesn't look familiar.
Mozilla Firefox
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Open Firefox.
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Click "History" then "Show All History." This will open the Library window. Pressing "CTRL," "SHIFT" and "H" will also open the Library window.
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On the Library window, in the left sidebar, click the "+" sign beside History. This will expand the menu underneath it. Clicking on any of these sub menus will open them in the right main window, so you may monitor what websites have been opened in Firefox and when. Search the list for websites you know you have not visited.
Google Chrome
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Open Chrome.
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Locate the wrench icon in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. This is the customize and control Google Chrome icon.
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Click the wrench icon and select "History" from the drop-down menu. This will open the History tab. You can also press "CTRL" and "H" to open the History tab. This is where Chrome keeps track of all the websites visited and links clicked on, and where you may monitor all such activity.
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Tips & Warnings
Check your browser history often, especially if you suspect someone else of using your computer without your permission, or of visiting nefarious websites.
Be careful of clicking on links within your browser's history, especially if you're looking for the possible source of a computer virus which has affected your computer.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fond internet image by Yves Damin from Fotolia.com
