How to Delete Your Browsing History After Shopping for Presents

Five Methods:Internet ExplorerGoogle ChromeFirefoxSafariPinterest

Worried that your gift recipient might stumble across all your present searching and buying history when looking up browsing information for their own needs? For those with a shared home computer, or just plain nosy partners or children, here is what to do to hide all trace of your online present shopping expeditions!

Method 1
Internet Explorer

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    Open the browser.
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    Click on "Safety".
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    Delete the browsing history, or as much of it as you don't want seen. Done.

Method 2
Google Chrome

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    Open the browser.
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    Go to the wrench symbol and click on it.
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    Click "History".
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    Click "Edit Items".
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    Click "Clear all browsing data". Done.

Method 3
Firefox

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    Open the browser.
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    Click on "Tools".
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    Click on "Clear Recent History". Done.

Method 4
Safari

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    Open the browser.
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    Go to the Menu bar.
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    Click on "History".
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    Click "Clear History". Done.

Method 5
Pinterest

Although not a browser, Pinterest is clearly a way of being busted for collecting gift ideas if your recipient checks out your Pinterest boards.

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    Open Pinterest.
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    Choose a "Secret" Pinterest board, located at the base of your profile.
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    Keep all your pinned images related to gift ideas secret in the relevant board. It can only be seen by you.

Tips

  • Most browsers store data for a minimum period––this period depends on the browser being used but some retain it for years!
  • Tap the Alt key on the keyboard to bring up Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari.
  • Don't forget to clear stored information that might show up anywhere else, such as receipts on your desktop, watchlists on store sites that you might share with a spouse, etc.
  • You can speed things up by deleting your browsing history as you go. This might be the best option for keeping the non-gift hunting websites in history––simply pick off those ones that relate to the gifts.
  • If you don't want history saved, it is possible to configure your browser this way.

Warnings

  • Keep a record of your visits somewhere in case you need to backtrack or can't remember where you purchased what from. This can be done quickly by taking a screenshot and filing it away somewhere hidden (or printing it off and tucking in your diary). Or, write it out by hand––laborious but effective.

Article Info

Categories: Basic Computer Skills