Can Your Browser History Be Found?
A Web browser retains certain data, called browser history. The browser history includes things such as links visited, data filled out in Web forms, Internet Protocol addresses of links, cookies and other kinds of temporarily cached information. The browser history can provide information about your browsing habits and other personal information. In all browsers, you can delete the browser history. Additionally, all major browsers have private browsing options that do not retain history or cookies. It is a good idea to periodically delete your browser history, just in case your computer is ever compromised by a virus, Trojan or exploit.
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Internet Explorer
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To find the history in Internet Explorer, click on the star-shaped icon in the upper right-hand corner. This will open your Favorites Center. The browser history is under the “History” tab. To delete the browser history, click on the gear-shaped Tools icon near the Favorites button in the upper-right hand corner, and then select “Safety.” Click “Delete Browsing History.” If you want to retain data specific to websites you’ve bookmarked, click the “Preserve Favorites Website Data” box before clicking “Delete.” If you would like to browse using InPrivate Browsing, select “Safety” from the Tools button. Then choose “InPrivate Browsing.”
Firefox
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To pull up the browser history in Firefox, either click “Ctrl,” “Shift” and “H” at the same time or choose “Show All History” from the “History” menu. In order to delete the browser history, select “Clear Recent History” from the “Tools” menu. The default options are fine, but you can delete less information or choose a shorter time period for deletion, if you wish. For instance, if you uncheck “Active Logins,” you won’t automatically be logged out of websites when you delete your history. If you need to use private browsing, select “Start Private Browsing” from the “Tools” menu.
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Safari
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To find your browser history in Safari, click on the “Top Sites” button on the Bookmark Bar, and then click the “History” button. To clear the browser history, click on the “Clear History” button on the lower left-hand corner of the browser window while viewing “Top Sites.” Alternatively, click on the “History” button, and then select “Clear History.” In order to turn on private browsing, from the “Safari” menu, select “Private Browsing.”
Google Chrome
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In Google Chrome, open your browser’s history by clicking on the wrench icon in the upper right-hand corner, next to the Address Bar. To clear the browser history, click on the wrench icon, then choose “Tools.” Then choose “Clear Browsing Data.” A dialogue box will give options for a time period and what data to delete. When in doubt, keep the default preferences. Then click the “Clear Browsing Data” button. To browse privately, either choose “New Incognito Window” from the wrench menu, or press “Ctrl,” “Shift” and “N” at the same time. This will open a new window. Unlike other browsers, any extensions you might have installed will be disabled in the Incognito window.
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