Get a FREE fully-working copy of Steganos Security Suite 7 (worth £49.99) when you sign up to the Practical PC Newsletter. PC Paranoia - Part 2
Kai Chandler examines computer privacy and the Internet
In Part One we looked at how to use a shredder programme to delete files properly, how to remove entries in the 'Documents' listing and password protect your work.
Part Two focuses on how to leave a 'clean machine' after using the Internet. After all, you wouldn't leave your bank statement open on your desk at work or pass your pay slip around in the pub would you?
Using the Internet leaves an electronic trail all over your PC showing where you've been and what you've seen.
Temporary Internet Files
Anything you see online is stored for weeks in C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder - sometimes called the browser cache. Try using Secret Agent or Thumbs Plus to see what's there. It'll be like pulling up a time capsule of sites that you've visited. They are stored so that if you revisit the site, the local version of the file can be displayed to save download time but there's a three-way see-saw compromise between download time, disk space and security - only you know where you need to sit on the see-saw.
To clear the Temporary Internet Files select Control Panel from the Start menu. Select Internet Options and then select Delete Files from the Temporary Internet section. While you are there, take a look at the settings. Do you want to change them?
Browser History
Every page you view on the Internet is stored in C:\Windows\History - this is the History settings of Internet Explorer. It's quite a time saver as you can scroll back through previously visited site addresses but equally you may not want others to know what sites you have visited.
To clear the History, select Internet Options as above and select the option to Clear History. Note the setting here, which allows you to set how many days' History is retained.
If you are an AOL user then you also need to select Preferences from the Customize Menu. Next, select Toolbar, Clear History Trail Now. You may wish to select the option to 'Clear history trail each time I sign off or switch screen names. '
Downloaded Files
If you have downloaded material from the Internet, it will be stored somewhere. The most likely locations are c:\download, or, for AOL users, C:\AOL 6.0\download. The exact location varies according to your version of AOL. You may wish to delete the downloaded material - doing this securely is covered in more detail in part one
Cookies
Many websites leave a simple, harmless text file called a cookie on your PC- these are usually in the folder c:\windows\cookies.
Cookies ensure that you are recognised next time you visit a site. Examples where they are used include sites that greet you by name, or tell you when you last logged onto their site. Popular share portfolio sites such as www.moneyworld.co.uk or bookmark sites such as www.backflip.com offer to remember your password so you can logon quickly next time. If you try to log on using a different PC you'll need a password. Conversely, anyone using your PC will be able to go straight to your share portfolio or bookmarks without needing any password.
To delete one of more cookies, take a look in the cookies directory. There's a whole load of files called default@<servicename>[n].txt where <servicename> is the website that generated the cookie, for example moneyworld or backflip and [n] is a digit such as 1 or 2. The contents of each cookie won't mean much but you can safely delete some or all of them.
Viruses, firewalls and email
While on the subject, let's not forget the other threats to your security.
We all know of the threats that come about from viruses. Do we all have a top-notch antivirus tool that's updated at least once a month? Practical PC recommends the FREE AVG antivirus suite from www.grisoft.com.
And how about a personal firewall to protect your PC from hacking attempts? Again, we have a recommendation - it 's the excellent FREE ZoneAlarm from www.zonealarm.com
And finally, please remember that sending emails is akin to sending a postcard - the message is there for anyone to read. The FBI's Carnivore software is said to be able to read any messages that you send or receive. If you want your email to be hidden from casual readers, then you should encrypt it either using PGP as discussed in Part One or, even easier, by use of secure email such as www.hushmail.com which applies PGP level security to all emails exchanged between Hushmail users. Mind, you may find the FBI or CIA reading what you're sending - they're taking quite an interest in it at the moment.
By following the advice above you will save whole MegaBytes of disk space and preserve your privacy.
Part Three looks at a tool to automate the cleanup operations.
