T-Structables: How to Secretly Use a Computer

by T-Structables

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Intro: T-Structables: How to Secretly Use a Computer

In this Instructable, I will teach you how to use a computer, and leave no evidence that you were ever even on in the first place! By the end of this Instructables, you'll be an expert at secret computer browsing!

STEP 1: Internet Browsing

If you plan on using an Internet on the computer you on, your going to need to cover up the evidence. In order to cover the evidence, you need to:

1. Erase all Internet browsing history
2. Clear Google search history
3. Take care of downloaded files (Next Step)

Erase all Internet browsing history

To wipe the history, go to Tools > Internet Options. A new window should pop up. Click the "Delete..." button. Another window should pop up. Click the "Delete History..." button. Now sit back and watch the magic!

Clear Google search history

!!WARNING!! This step can only be done if the computer has the Google tool bar installed. If it doesn't, I recommend not using Google, because it saves your searches.

To clear the Google search history, goto your Google search tool bar and click the little down-arrow. Then click "Click History". You're Done! (Well, with this step at least)

STEP 2: Take Care of Downloaded Files

Once your done browsing the Internet, you may have downloaded some files. If not, skip this step.

Whatever it is that you downloaded, you probably want to run it/open it. That's all fine. Once you're done using the file(s), You have to delete the file(s). You're not done yet. Open the recycle bin and click "Empty the Recycle Bin". Now your done. (Almost)

STEP 3: Take Care of Files. Again.

We need to finish up clearing evidence of files. Downloaded or not. First click the start button, then "My Recent Documents" Any file you opened will show up in the list, deleted or not. Any file you don't want to show up there, just right click it and click "Delete" Repeat for any other files you viewed.

STEP 4: Finish Up

Check that you've covered all the evidence. Check that you've:

1. Cleared Internet Browsing History
2. Deleted and cleared all unwanted files
3. Cleared the Google history (If possible)
4. Cleared recent files

You're all done! Now go out and f&@# up your friends laptop!

13 Comments

CameronSS 15 years ago

You have left traces all over that computer.

For starters, everything that you deleted is still there. All that happens when you click "Empty Recycle Bin" is that the file is deleted from the file directory, so the computer no longer knows where on the hard disk platter the data is stored. Unless you use some sort of file shredder, all of the file data will remain on the hard drive until it is overwritten at some point in the future. A free program like Pandora Recovery is enough to recover most recently deleted files.

Secondly, you have done nothing about all of the temporary files that you created while browsing. They all remain on the hard drive as a record of what your browser displayed during your Internet session.

While this will prevent people from noticing that someone has been on the computer at a glance, that's about as far as it goes.

T-Structables 15 years ago

Your average Joe isn't just "by chance" going to download Pandora Recovery right after you went on to check the files. I see your point though.

RedFlash 14 years ago

He does have a point with the temp folder. You could improve the delete method by using Shift + Delete. That deletes files PERMANENTLY and once done, cannot be undone

Lunera 11 years ago

Oh sure it can, I've done it several times. Until you overwrite that part of the hard disk, it can be recovered. All the delete does is removes the reference to the file from the file system, the data itself is still very much there.

RedFlash 14 years ago

On step 1's picture, you have been using bosskey haven't you... You need to make sure that no help tips are showing up before you switch otherwise it'll leave a mark...

stone3408 15 years ago

This really is only useful to keep your mom and dad from finding out that your looking at scandalous type stuff (if you keep doing that you will go blind). A live linux cd is by far a better option if your seriuos about leaving no tracks.

T-Structables 15 years ago

I meant just to give a guide for an on-the-go cover up. I know I may have left some things out, but those may not be as noticeable to someone who is an average computer viewer. The things in this Instructable are only the most obvious to the average computer viewer. I do agree that a Linux CD or boot drive is a much better way to hide your work though. But like I said earlier, this is just an on-the-go guide.

jakee117 15 years ago

(if you keep doing that you will go blind)

lol

Hands Without Shadows 15 years ago

I think a missing history would be more noticable then a few extra web page entries. Leave the mouse, keyboard,desk, and chair in the same location as you found them.

T-Structables 15 years ago

If you leave the history, there still is a chance they'll find it. Also, if clear it all, how would they know it was you that cleared it?

Rockerx 15 years ago

Don't forget to run Ccleaner to get rid of all the "extras" that come with deleting a file...

flawd 15 years ago

The only bad thing about this is that you erase the tracks from even before you were at the computer. If someone was suspicious they could notice that quite easily. The only way to REALLY hide your tracks would be to boot to a Linux live CD to do your dirty work :)