Essential PC security tips Protecting yourself online
Which? Archive
This article, Essential PC security tips, was last updated on 02 February 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
Delete your browser history
Your web browser stores a list of the websites you’ve visited. This is called your browser history.
This means that anyone who hops on your computer can view a list of all the websites that you’ve been to.
To delete your Internet Explorer browser history, go to Tools > Internet options.
On the General tab under Browsing history, select Delete history and click Yes.
Delete web cookies
Cookies are small files that store personal details such as your login and password details within your web browser.
To stop others using these details, remove the cookies. In Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools > Internet options and select the Privacy tab.
Under Private data, click Settings then put a tick next to Cookies. Select Clear private data now and click OK.
Turn off autocomplete
Autocomplete is a function that allows some browsers to ‘remember’ what you put into online forms. This is useful if you frequently log in to the same sites or are often required to fill in your details in online forms.
However, it also means that anyone with access to your computer can see all these details at the click of a button.
For shared computers you may wish to turn this off. In Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools > Internet options and select the Content tab.
Under Autocomplete click Settings. Remove the ticks beside Forms and Usernames and passwords on forms.
Block pop-ups
Pop ups are small windows that open automatically when you visit certain webpages. Many are just annoying or confusing, but they can also contain malicious code or phishing scams.
To block pop-ups in Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools > Internet options, select the Privacy tab, and make sure that there’s a tick next to Turn on pop-up blocker. Click Settings to allow pop-ups.
Secure web pages
Be alert when you’re asked to enter personal details such as your credit card details into a webpage.
A secure web page is prefixed ‘https’ (the ‘s’ at the end stands for secure).
You should also check for a padlock icon in your address bar, which denotes a secure web page.
