Question:
Computer privacy question?
Mrs.Depp
2009-07-11 00:53:26 UTC
Okay I know nothing about computers. Is there anyway that anybody who uses the computer after me or any sort of traccking program can see things I've done on the computer. Like if I go on a website is there a way of seeing the conversations ive had with people on lets say AIM or Omegle?

I know this is a confusing question but if you know anything regarding this, please let me know. All I know to do is delete my history.
Eight answers:
?
2009-07-11 01:41:44 UTC
Here is the skinny on the question, This is the Internet. The Internet is also called The World Wide Web.

The Internet is a system of many Computers that are inter connected at some point.

wikipedia History of the Internet.

Data, that is any information or numbers wich every Machine Language uses, data is tracked and harvested by many sub programs that exist on the Internet.

Send a Yahoo e.mail to a friend that is across the street. Then look at the reply. Open or View All Headers, you will see a bunch of numbers and stuff that don't really make much sense to a human, but in machine language, these codes mean that email 1 goes to Telephone line 1,Server (A) Cell Tower 2, Satellite 3, Server (b), Cell Tower 5, Cable line 6, then your computer and just about every other device on the Internet can access the e.mail that was sent across the street.

That is kinda TCP/IP 101 or 201 stuff but that is the basics of how it works, and every device that the data is sent through has a history or backup.

Far as physical access to that box in your house, look at windowssecrets.com, that is actually a Microsoft sponsored site.

CCleaner, as mentioned is one of the better utilities, but those are only as good as the last update.

You could always learn the CLI or Command Line Interface and do without any extra doo dads that actually just clutter the system up.
2009-07-11 02:50:02 UTC
For conversations, no if you are not using log files which record both sides of the conversation. Key loggers can only record the keys you press on the keyboard, not the keyboard on some one elses computer. Cookies and history are stored in more than one place. You can use the delete internet history in the browser, but it does not remove the files saved in another location. You have to open menus, go to accessories, open system and click on disk clean up, check mark all the boxes and click apply or ok. This takes care of the other locations, also removes junk files. You can set IE to delete the history when it is closed. You can tell Firefox to delete the data files when it closes. Also make sure that remote access is not turned on.
cazachri
2009-07-11 01:29:24 UTC
Yes, there are plenty ways people can see what you are doing on your computer. You said you delete your history, which is good. But when you go to websites they store, what is called a "cookie" onto your computer. A "cookie" is basically a small piece of info information that is stored on your computer when you browse though websites. The purpose of a "cookie" is to store data on your computer so that when you travel to that website again your computer will remember certain infomation like password and ID's. A person can easily access your cookies and see what sites you have been on.



The are certain programs such as Keylogers which can track every stroke you type into your computer. They copy everything-if you open your internet browser and type in a website. type in your passwords ect.... it will copy it.



So, yes if there is a program such as a keyloger installed on your computer it will copy your conversations on IM . A cookie will not copy your text, only the websites which you have been on.
don piano
2009-07-11 01:12:00 UTC
Yep, CCleaner is good for clearing your history and cache. After installing it, be sure to change your shred options to at least 3 passes (in CCleaner, goto 'Options > Settings', tick 'Secure file deletion' and select 'DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes)'. Simply run it every time you are finished on the computer.



If someone knows what they are doing, it is very easy to see what you have been up to.



Perhaps see if your IM programs offer an option to not log conversations if you are concerned about your privacy.
NorthRockSEO
2009-07-11 01:14:17 UTC
Also know that if your running windows in the system32 folder is a .dat file that contains all IE history even after cleaning it out. So if you know what your doing you can find out the info. On the plus side most people dont know whats up so a simple "Clear browser history & cookies" should suffice.
charlostin
2016-11-09 07:01:42 UTC
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Figbash
2009-07-11 01:04:57 UTC
To really get rid of your browsing history, use CCleaner, it's more thorough:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

As far as the chat history, as long as you wipe all of the chat history, they won't find it. I know on Yahoo Messenger you can wipe the chat history, I'm sure you can erase the archives in AIM too, not sure about Omegle.
Unkno!!
2009-07-11 01:03:59 UTC
They can know anything and everything you do on a computer remotely by installing a keylogger.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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