Computer tech info

[Perth boy]

Can anyone tell me when I use my computer I normaly use it in INPRIVATE viewing. Can anyone check what web sites I have been to. I have a IT guy but didnt want to discuss this with him

 

[viper]

My understanding is that you cannot look at what ppl have looked up in your browser.

 

[WRXXXR]

I'll call my IT bloke shortly. He's an uber nerd so he'll know.

I reckon yes, but would need an it bloke.

Maybe a new hdd and new install. Run magnets over the old drive followed by a sledge hammer!

 

[Perth boy]

I'll call my IT bloke shortly. He's an uber nerd so he'll know.

I reckon yes, but would need an it bloke.

Maybe a new hdd and new install. Run magnets over the old drive followed by a sledge hammer!

New HD would be a problem I work from 3 locations on 3 computers?

 

[WRXXXR]

He thinks once you close a private tab in explorer / firefox it's supposed to delete everything but you never know. Of course if you've ever saved anything to HDD, it's a possibility. Also reckons it would take a super nerd.

Would need 3 new HDD's + installs etc to be 100% sure if she has access to those computers. Suspicious and costly

 

[Fudd]

I'm no IT person but if you wish to keep the websites you've visited hidden, I'd suggest accessing the sites through a "Proxy Server". This link provides more info:

What is a Proxy Server?

In a nutshell, you access the proxy server & surf the web from there rather than surf the web directly from the internet browser on your computer. The main difference between accessing sites through a proxy server, as compared to your computer browser, is that it doesn't leave any tracks for people to follow if they get access to your computer.

Here is a list of proxy servers that may be of some help:

Proxy Servers - Page 1 of 7

Fudd

 

[antonov]

It's not just the browsing you need to worry about. If you download stuff (pictures, movies etc) and then open them later, they often leave a history of having been opened in the "recent items" list of the piece of software used to open them (even if you delete the actual item itself).

Also, if you go to: Start-documents-recent places it will bring up a list of shortcuts to recently opened documents too....

 

[Perth boy]

Thanks everyone .

 

[dan60]

only use firefox, don't trust IE

in firefox-options-privacy, check the clear 'history when firefox closes'.
also in 'tools' - 'clear recent history' if you don't want to close firefox until later.
check for visited sites in- history - recently closed tabs/windows, should be all clear if 'clear recent history' works.
remember to close the offending tab/window before clearing history.

there is prob some geeky way of tracking everything you ever opened if someone gets serious, i hope not.LOL
a certain w/l has texted me a few times, doesn't bother me as i have a seperate phone, but it's not right.
DP, i think you ought to get off your opionated soapbox, take away your obv anger at a personal event, and move on.

 

[sexnut]

Re: only use firefox, don't trust IE

in firefox-options-privacy, check the clear 'history when firefox closes'.
also in 'tools' - 'clear recent history' if you don't want to close firefox until later.
check for visited sites in- history - recently closed tabs/windows, should be all clear if 'clear recent history' works.
remember to close the offending tab/window before clearing history.

there is prob some geeky way of tracking everything you ever opened if someone gets serious, i hope not.LOL
a certain w/l has texted me a few times, doesn't bother me as i have a seperate phone, but it's not right.
DP, i think you ought to get off your opionated soapbox, take away your obv anger at a personal event, and move on.

Two threads in one!!! ..

 

[Ghost Protocol]

dude wiping 3 computers will look a little more than suspicious .,

you better take the misses to france
j

 

[jlmiller]

Yes a computer guy or your boss if they know what and where to lok can find out where you've been surfing. You can tell the browser to delete the cache and history, but a determined IT pro (like myself) who gets paid to discover where you've been can bring back those files, you delete...

 

[wingman]

Depends on the network environment those computers are in and who wants the info and how badly they want it.

1) If its just a standalone computer just delete your history and cookies. If it's a vengeful ex or the FBI or something wanting the info, you can have the hard drives destroyed.

2) In a few office network environments I've installed, we've put a logging device in (google 'fortigate' or there's plenty of other brands too). This sits between the switch and the router and can be configured any way the client desires - some clients put rules into it to allow/disallow certain content from certain staff. Other clients are happy for it to just collect logs. If one of your computers you use is in this type of environment, there's absolutely nothing you can do about those logs. But on the same token, they probably won't be given out to anyone without a warrant, too. Some places don't even bother checking them.

 

[User184]

If you're serious about not covering your tracks there are a few things you'll need to do.

On YOUR end:
Private browsing doesn't save ANYTHING to the HDD. It doens't delete it AFTER you're done, as there is nothing to delete. It never saves it in the first place.

Secondly a post-use file scrubber would be the best thing to use. I use CCleaner myself as it empties recycle bin, windows temp files, last file open histories, as well as cookies, browser histories (for all the major browsers). A file shredder is something you drop files into to securely delete them. It works by over writing the file with pseudo random data a number of times, and then doing the same to the actual entry for that file in the File Allocation Table for windows.

On the other side of it, while ISP's don't really track data beyond figuring out how much data you use, IP data can be retrieved by other third parties. That is where a Proxy comes into use. You connect to the proxy and tell it what files to get. Then the third party websites you visit (as far as they are concernd) are being browsed by the proxy. Then the proxy encrypts the data and sends it to you. So any third party would have to monitor the proxy, without any way (other than a court order usually in a foriegn jursidiction) to track who uses what. So barring conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, or downloading child pornography you should be pretty safe.

Of course that is overkill if all you are doing is looking up porn sites or browsing this forum. Though if you value privacy it's easy to set up then forget about. However if it's a foreign proxy you won't ever get "free quota" from your ISP's server.

Hope that helps the security/privacy concious amongst you.

Oh, and file shredders make it practically impossible to recover data. And running magnest over a HDD doesn't really work. Your best bet would be to open the case of the HDD and physically rip tear and destroy the platters inside. And run a magnet over those.

for a free program to check what might be recoverable off your computer, try googling for a program called recuva. Released by same company that does CCleaner (also free) called Piriform.

 

[wingman]

All that stuff about cleaning the hard disk and using a proxy for internet is meaningless if he's logging in a workplace environment. He probably isnt, but he didn't specify either. He did say that he logs in in 3 different places on 3 different computers so presumably one of those is the office.

If the office has any kind of half-decent IT involvement, there'll be policies to prevent the above and there'll be firewalls or logging devices similar to the ones I mentioned in previous post. You won't have access to those devices to do anything with them. (Can you tell I'm in IT yet?)

I guess the point here is - what are you actually trying to protect, and from whom - then more specific advice can be given.

 

[raider]

All that stuff about cleaning the hard disk and using a proxy for internet is meaningless if he's logging in a workplace environment. He probably isnt, but he didn't specify either. He did say that he logs in in 3 different places on 3 different computers so presumably one of those is the office.

If the office has any kind of half-decent IT involvement, there'll be policies to prevent the above and there'll be firewalls or logging devices similar to the ones I mentioned in previous post. You won't have access to those devices to do anything with them. (Can you tell I'm in IT yet?)

I guess the point here is - what are you actually trying to protect, and from whom - then more specific advice can be given.

I love my fortigates

 

[ecchimiki]

Can anyone tell me when I use my computer I normaly use it in INPRIVATE viewing. Can anyone check what web sites I have been to. I have a IT guy but didnt want to discuss this with him

In your browser will be an option to "Delete history on exit" or similar, depending which internet browser you use. HOWEVER, this will also erase cookies, saved passwords, etc. all the things that makes using some browsers so convenient.

But yes, "Private browsing" is one way to ensure no temporary files end up on the hard disk.

As for User184's comment

while ISP's don't really track data beyond figuring out how much data you use

our dear Labor government is working very hard at introducing laws that make it mandatory for ISPs to record JUST THAT information, so they can track what everyone in the country has been up to. Thankfully the EFA, Greens and the ASP are working hard against this. But if they do try to bring up before parliament, even the Libs are likely to support it. At that point, the only way to truly browse anonymously is to use a VPN portal to an international gateway.

Of course it's all in the name of "protecting the children" and "stopping internet crime", but WE all know it's about control.

 

[homer]

the best thing is to do this kinda thing on your personal pc. Work pc should remain as that. Most companies would have their own proxy servers, all internet access will have to pass through this server. You maybe able to wipe your traces off the pc, but the server can't be wiped. Not unless you own IT. I've seen people getting sacked due to dodgy websites.

 

[WRXXXR]

I agree Homer. Business computers are for business use only. No different if your the receptionist or owner. Facebook, YouTube etc have no place during work hours.

 

[sexnut]

In your browser will be an option to "Delete history on exit" or similar, depending which internet browser you use. HOWEVER, this will also erase cookies, saved passwords, etc. all the things that makes using some browsers so convenient.

But yes, "Private browsing" is one way to ensure no temporary files end up on the hard disk.

As for User184's comment our dear Labor government is working very hard at introducing laws that make it mandatory for ISPs to record JUST THAT information, so they can track what everyone in the country has been up to. Thankfully the EFA, Greens and the ASP are working hard against this. But if they do try to bring up before parliament, even the Libs are likely to support it. At that point, the only way to truly browse anonymously is to use a VPN portal to an international gateway.

Of course it's all in the name of "protecting the children" and "stopping internet crime", but WE all know it's about control.

What is private browser??

 

[sexnut]

If you're serious about not covering your tracks there are a few things you'll need to do.

On YOUR end:
Private browsing doesn't save ANYTHING to the HDD. It doens't delete it AFTER you're done, as there is nothing to delete. It never saves it in the first place.

Secondly a post-use file scrubber would be the best thing to use. I use CCleaner myself as it empties recycle bin, windows temp files, last file open histories, as well as cookies, browser histories (for all the major browsers). A file shredder is something you drop files into to securely delete them. It works by over writing the file with pseudo random data a number of times, and then doing the same to the actual entry for that file in the File Allocation Table for windows.

On the other side of it, while ISP's don't really track data beyond figuring out how much data you use, IP data can be retrieved by other third parties. That is where a Proxy comes into use. You connect to the proxy and tell it what files to get. Then the third party websites you visit (as far as they are concernd) are being browsed by the proxy. Then the proxy encrypts the data and sends it to you. So any third party would have to monitor the proxy, without any way (other than a court order usually in a foriegn jursidiction) to track who uses what. So barring conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, or downloading child pornography you should be pretty safe.

Of course that is overkill if all you are doing is looking up porn sites or browsing this forum. Though if you value privacy it's easy to set up then forget about. However if it's a foreign proxy you won't ever get "free quota" from your ISP's server.

Hope that helps the security/privacy concious amongst you.

Oh, and file shredders make it practically impossible to recover data. And running magnest over a HDD doesn't really work. Your best bet would be to open the case of the HDD and physically rip tear and destroy the platters inside. And run a magnet over those.

for a free program to check what might be recoverable off your computer, try googling for a program called recuva. Released by same company that does CCleaner (also free) called Piriform.

Are you an alien? lol Wish I could learn this tech stuff like a pro.

Where do you find proxies?

 

[User184]

I studied computer security at university.

On the alien front... kinda yeah

Proxies/VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can be found through google/bing searches.

As to previous comments, yeah... don't do any stuff you want kept private at work. After all you are being paid for a job so best get on and do it.