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Managing user names, account numbers, and passwords is a royal pain, isn’t it? If you’re like me, you have ATM cards, home security systems, work security systems, voicemail access, computer accounts, Internet access, e-mail accounts, online banking, online insurance, online brokerage accounts, and dozens of Websites that you regularly access - all requiring unique user names and passwords. Internet Explorer and other Web browser attempt to help you manage your passwords by storing them in a cache. Simply allow the Web browser to “remember” the password and you can relax - or can you?

Because you computer can store this data, your system is automatically compromised. Imagine what would happen if your laptop were stolen. Could the thief simply start visiting financial Web pages until he finds your bank complete with your account number and password pre-filled in? Conceivably, yes. If you haven’t cleared your cache recently, all he would need to do is start entering each letter of the alphabet into the address bar.

Try it and see. Enter “a” into your address bar. What shows up? A whole screen appears listing all of the websites that you’ve recently visited beginning with the letter “a.” Did “Allstate Insurance” just pop up? Is your account number and password pre-filled in? Now try “b.” Gosh, is that Bank of America?

The above example is an extremely low-tech way of discovering your Web accounts and stored passwords. It also illustrates how quickly anyone can access your financial information without having any technical abilities or know how. More sophisticated users can go in and get even more sensitive data.

Fortunately, you can do a few things to further protect your financial data. First, most financial institutions using online banking have implemented more secure log on practices. For example, Bank of America will remember your “Saved online ID” though it blanks out most of the numbers. Once you click “Sign in,” you’re taken to a screen where you must verify a pre-identified image called a “site key” before entering your passcode. ING Direct takes it a step further by implementing a similar setup but requiring you to enter your password using a numeric keypad to represent the letters of your password. Each time you log in, the keypad has a different set of corresponding letters to numbers.

A variety of systems on your computer attempt to help make browsing easier but they do raise security concerns including cookies (which can store your passwords and account numbers), temporary Internet files, and browser histories.

Internet Explorer provides a way for you to delete this information. Steps vary depending on which version you are using. In IE 7, go into Tools>Internet Options. The General tab has an area devoted to Browsing History. Click the Delete button and you will be able to delete:

• Temporary Internet Files
• Cookies
• History
• Form Data
• Passwords

Once you’ve cleared the sensitive information, you need to have a new resolve. Can you remember all of your passwords and account numbers without relying on these built-in tools? Start by refusing to allow Windows to save your form data and password information when prompted. Regularly clear your Browsing History items.

Consider offline methods for managing your passwords. For example, Bank of America offers a “SafePass” security option where you can get one-time passwords delivered to your cell phone. As soon as you use this one-time password, it expires. You get a new password the next time you need to log in.

Privacy Controls Deletes all references to Web Activity so that even sophisticated Forensic Recovery software cant unearth the truth!

Very Few Tools actually get rid of “ALL” the Evidence - Privacy Controls does.

Download and Try Privacy Controls

What would your Surfing History Reveal about you?

You may not have anything to hide but your Internet tracks will reveal what you’ve been doing online - do you really want others to see where you’ve been?

If you could see my Web browsing history, you’d jump to all sorts of conclusions about me. For example, among my recent searches are:

• Underground poker rooms
• Staph infections
• Adult dancing lessons

So, am I a tap-dancing, staph-infected, poker player looking for a high stakes game of cards?

Not at all but you might think by looking at my Web browsing history. Do you know what else you would find by looking at my history? You’d find my preferred financial institutions where I do my online banking. What would your PC reveal?

My Bank Account Numbers and My Bank Account Passwords

If I happen to have account information and passwords stored for convenience, you’d be able to go into my accounts!

How many people have casual access to your computer? Can you be absolutely sure that no one’s curious and snooping?

Automated Spyware tools collecting ALL your Private info

Not only can anyone who has access to your computer poke around into your Web history, you should also be concerned with spyware doing the same. Spyware can search your computer’s log files and send sensitive information to organized criminal rings.

Casual Browsing of Adult Content

Another reason to cover your Internet tracks involves sparing your loved ones from finding out that you’ve been looking at adult content. According to WordTracker’s long term report on Web searches, the number one search term is “sex.” For those who are looking, it’s probably not a bad idea to clear out the history, especially if children have access to the computer.

What if he knew, that you want out?

People in abusive relationships are also advised to cover up their Internet tracks. For example, if your partner regularly monitors your phone calls or computer usage, you can bet he’s looking at your Web history. Most domestic violence agencies recommend using a public computer such as one at the local library when conducting Internet searches that may upset or provoke the abuser if discovered. For example, what might an abusive spouse do upon discovering a search for “Escaping from bad marriage” or “How to file for divorce”?     

Clearing Web tracks involves clearing the Web history files and cookies. However, this isn’t always enough, especially if the other party is computer savvy. Tools such as keyloggers and computer monitoring systems are readily available to stealthily record all of your keystrokes or provide screenshots of your computer activity. In addition, hidden system files, known as index.dat files, contain a complete record of all websites visited - even after clearing the history.

ParetoLogic Privacy Controls is Thorough

Specially designed software programs are available for completely covering your Internet tracks. For example, ParetoLogic Privacy Controls is an easy to use tool that will automatically and “completely” clean your Internet tracks.

Use the Privacy Controls “Secure Shred” Feature before PC Disposal

One final note about computer privacy, and I can’t stress this enough, you can’t be sure who’s looking at your computer’s history. Even the most upstanding of citizens should be concerned about what their hard disk reveals. Did you know that re-formatting a hard disk doesn’t really erase data? How many computers have you “recycled” over the years? Where is that data now? Even if you don’t feel the need to cover your Web tracks now, it’s important to remember to completely shred your hard drive when the time comes to dispose of your PC.