Internet Safety Guide - Cover Your Tracks

Safety Warning

If you’re worried about someone knowing you have visited this website then please read this warning. It tells you how to take steps to increase your safety when using the Internet.

As you surf the Internet your Internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) will save certain information such as which sites you have visited, files you’ve downloaded and images you’ve viewed.

If you are worried that someone may have access to your computer you can cover your tracks by taking a few simple precautions outlined below.

IMPORTANT

The information below may not completely hide your tracks. If you have any doubts you might prefer to use a friend’s computer, a work computer or visit a local library or Internet café.

Deleting Cookies, Files and Internet History

If you know what browser you are using then skip to the relevant instructions below. If you don’t know the type of browser you are using, click Help on the toolbar at the top of the browser screen. A drop down menu will appear, the last entry will say About Internet Explorer, About Mozilla Firefox or something similar. The entry refers to which browser type you are using. You should then refer to the relevant instructions below.

Internet Explorer 6.0

Click the Tools drop down menu and select Internet Options
On the General tab under Temporary Internet Files:
Click Delete Cookies
Click Delete Files
Under History click Delete History
On the Content tab under Personal Information click AutoComplete
Click Clear Forms and then click OK
Click OK again to close Internet Options and save your changes

Internet Explorer 7.0

Click Tools drop down menu and select Internet Options
Under Browsing History click Delete
Delete browsing history by clicking each delete button as required or click the Delete All button
Click Close and then Click OK to confirm the deletion

Alternatively

Click the Tools drop down menu and select Delete Browsing History
Click each delete button in turn as required or click Delete All
Click Close to confirm

Mozilla Firefox / Netscape

Click the Tools drop down menu and select Options
Click on the Privacy option
Under Private Data click Clear Now
Place a tick in all the options available and click Clear Private Data Now
Click OK to confirm

Alternatively select ctrl+shift+delete on your keyboard, tick all the items available and click Clear Private Data Now.

Opera

Click the Tools drop down menu and select Preferences
Click the Advanced tab and select History on the left hand menu
Click the Clear and Empty Now buttons
Select Cookies from the left hand menu
Click Manage cookies
Select any entries on the list you want to delete and click Delete
Click Close when you have finished deleting all the entries you want to
Click OK to close Preferences

E-mail

If someone has access to your e-mail account they may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. Make sure you choose a password that someone will not be able to guess and change it regularly.

If someone sends you threatening or harassing e-mails make sure you print and save them. Although you may be tempted to delete them, especially if they are distressing, they are evidence and may help you prove that a criminal offence has been committed.