Cookies store information in small text files about the websites that you have recently visited. Therefore, it is essential that you delete cookies and history regularly. There are two types of cookies, namely, trustworthy and tracking. Trustworthy cookies are used for remembering the usernames and passwords, helps in tracking the items you have purchased using shopping car. Tracking cookies are used for monitoring websites.

Step-By-Step Techniques A Child Can Do

To delete cookies, open Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > In the General tab, click "Delete Cookies." > You will be asked whether you wish to delete cookies > Click Yes. Now, Click Settings > Click View Files > Press Ctrl + A > Click Delete. There are also a few software's available for deleting third-party cookies like Cookie Crusher. Sometimes, when you install these software's, it is possible that the internet speed is slowed.

To surf the web safely, you can update the relevant security patches that are available in the operating system vendor's website. You might also use a firewall as it controls Internet Cookies and also blocks unwanted data. There are a lot of other hardware and software firewalls available on the web. In general, pornographic gambling, etc. websites pose a greater risk of installing spyware or adware in your system.

Other important things you will have to take care when surfing the web are to block pop-ups and disable AutoComplete.

To block pop-ups, you can download toolbars from Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. To add a site to the Restricted Sites zone in Internet Explorer, Start Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > Click the Security tab > Click Restricted Sites, and then click Sites > In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type the Web address for the site that you want to restrict, and then click Add. Repeat this step if you want to add other sites to the zone. > Click OK > Click Default Level to set the Restricted Sites zone to the recommended level, which disables Active Scripting > Click OK.

You can also disable Active Scripting in Internet Explorer for all sites. This might cause many Webs sites to be displayed incorrectly.

To disable Active Scripting for all Internet sites, Start Internet Explorer > On the Tools menu, click Internet Options > Click the Security tab > Click Internet, and then click Custom Level > Under Active Scripting in the Scripting section, click Disable > Click OK > Click OK.

To disable AutoComplete, Start Internet Explorer > Click Tools > Internet Options > Click the Content tab > Click AutoComplete > Remove the checkmarks from Web addresses, Forms, Usernames and passwords on forms > Click Clear Forms and then Clear passwords > Click OK > Click OK.

Unless absolutely necessary, it is not recommended to download and install any freeware. If you do download free software, only download from developer's site. Many copycat sites exist that are fraudulent. Downloading from them will most certainly install spyware on your system.

It is also recommended to set the security settings to high if children have access to computer. This can be done by launching Internet Explorer. Click Tools > Internet Options > Select the Privacy tab > Move the slider and set the security settings to high. Also ensure that you do not click pop-ups.

Never ever store your email addresses and password in the system. People might get access to the stored passwords. The best way to store passwords is in the form of an encrypted file for example on a floppy disk. Buy a package of floppy disks from a computer shop and save a text file with your username and password. Then send the file to a floppy disk and delete the file from your computer.

You can also use a free software. This software called Password Safe will save your passwords on your computer but you will create one unique password to access them all.

This is also great if you do not want to use floppy disks.

If the above are followed properly, you just improved your security. The easy to follow instructions make your computer more safe and immune against threats.