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Computer Privacy Tips

Tips on maintaining your computer privacy.

Erase Your Tracks

There are programs that can erase your browsing tracks (such as sites you have visited, search terms, and other personal items) though each browser has a way to erase some of its own tracks such as its cache.

CCleaner - Freeware Windows Optimization  CCleaner not only clears most browser privacy information it can clean recycle bins, temp files, log files, the clipboard, and many other traces of your habits. And it is free.

Internet Explorer 7

Click on Tools > Delete Browsing History...

  • Temporary Internet Files - deletes files and images (used to display web pages) downloaded from the internet
  • Cookies - deletes all cookies from your browser
  • History - clears list of websites you have visited
  • Form Data - saved information you have put into forms
  • Passwords - passwords that were automatically saved

Close your browser after deleting so anything in its memory is removed, too.

Internet Explorer 6

Click on Tools > Internet Options

  • Clear History - clears where you have been browsing
  • Delete Files - deletes files and images (used to display web pages) downloaded from the internet
  • Delete Cookies - deletes all cookies from your browser

Firefox 2

Click on Tools > Clear private data
Check/uncheck what you want deleted.

Opera

Click on Tools > Delete private data
Click on Details > check/uncheck what you want deleted.


Register with the National Do-not-call List

Registering your telephone (or cell phone) with the national do-not-call registry is easy. Once we did this telemarketing calls have dropped to zero. Use one of the following methods:

 

  • Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want on the list.
  • Go to https://www.donotcall.gov website and register your phone number.
    Only a valid email address is needed. Once the number is registered, an email is sent out and must be responded within 72 hours.

Once registered, telemarketers (there are a few exempt) are not supposed to call 31 days after you registered. If they do you can file a complaint online at https://www.donotcall.gov Either the name of who called *or* their phone number is necessary to file a complaint. The phone number remains in the registry for 5 years.
This also works with cell phones and there is no cost.