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How to find out what people search on the Internet .

At a basic level, if you share a computer with ,for example ,a colleague or family member ,it is possible to discover just what they have been searching the internet for . Every time you look for something on the Internet a link is copied into the History part of your Internet folder .You can set the Options' to delete this history immediately , every few days or whenever suits you . This history does not use up vast amounts of your computers hard drive space but it does use some .It is possible to manually clear this history whenever you desire .

These links which are placed on your computer can be useful if you want to access a site on another occasion .However always remember that anyone using the same computer will know where on the Internet you have been . Your internet browser will also have a function to create a folder of your favourite sites . These favourites mean that you can reach the exact page that you want on a site very quickly . Simply by clicking on favourites you will be able to see which sites someone wants to keep handy for easy browsing .

Every time you are searching or using the Internet Temporary files are stored in a Temporary Internet Files Folder . This folder may be called something slightly different but it will do the same thing .If you open this folder up there will be little pieces of evidence which show the sites someone has accessed . You can delete these temporary files but then the links to your favourite sites will not work until you have accessed and saved them again .

There are also something called 'Cookies' which are placed on your computer . These also only take up a small amount of computer space but they enable a site to track when and what you are accessing . You can adjust the internet settings so that any Cookies will not be saved . However in doing so you will not necessarily be able to access everything .

All these files ,which show a record of what you have been searching for and visiting on the Internet ,can be deleted . However it is a problem remembering to do so on a regular basis . It is a fact though that however much you delete files a computer expert could find just about anything you have ever used , downloaded or visited , by way of your computer , somewhere on your hard drive.

As the Internet is a relatively new phenomenon the problem of confidentiality regarding your computer use has still not been clearly defined .Law enforcement officers and the like could probably find out just what someone has been searching the Internet for by contacting their Internet Service Provider or a provider of a search engine such as Goggle .

Many of the tasks and activities we now enjoy on the Internet are nowhere near as private as we think .Whilst you are searching the Internet many third parties may be aware of your activities . If you are new to the Internet it is always wise to use caution and limit the time you spend browsing the Internet .After all you don't always know who may be monitoring you .

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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