A question I'm posting in a few places to see what people think ...

I'm wondering if anyone knows how I might go about "securing" some files on my home computer, and generally how to secure the tracks and trails of my web browser so that others can't figure out what I've done or where I've been, computer-wise.

First there's the issue of securing some of the files I'm keeping. I have, for example, a good collection of DVD-quality porno files that I want to keep, but want to keep secret. In addition, I might want to put my money accounts in a similar "lock box." Is there good software for taking a folder and "locking it up" so that only users with a password can get at it?

Second there's the issue of erasing my steps off of a computer after I've been browsing. I know how to manually clear cookies or erase the history. But I'd like a more complete solution.

Finally there's the issue of NOT RECORDING my steps when I'm browsing the web at all in the first place. Is there a way to do this? For example, to keep my workplace from knowing where I'm browsing to? Or is that a foolish plan ... heh ...

Anyway, advice appreciated. I currently use an old version of CyberScrub, and I find it pretty good. It will automatically wipe your browser traces (not just delete them, but WIPE them so hardware or software can't recover them), and will wipe whatever items you wish to delete. It does any of a number of multi-pass methods that essentially clear your hard drive to the extent that not even the CSI folks could figure out what used to be on it. But as you see from discussion above, clearing out past traces isn't all I'm interested in.

Looking forward to wise and intelligent repartee!

BG

One of the easiest ways to erase your web surfing is to go to Explorer, Tools, Internet Options and hit the "clear history".

An easy to use and dependable encryption software that I use is Cryptainer.com. Pay for the addn'l memory, it's been working well for me for several years and it's very easy once you get the hang of it.

The first thing you need to do is stop using IE and switch over the Mozilla/Firefox. All cookies are kept in one file (hint - create a new cookie file with only the cookies you want to keep such as ones for weather.com, newspapers, shit like that, and then make it read-only so that new permenent cookies cannot be added) and there are no history files kept except one, which is in your personal Mozilla directory under Documents and Settings. Note - clearing your history file under IE doesn't really clear things out.

At this point you can control your web browsing record more easily. As far as browsing from work, just assume that all web traffic is monitored or at least can be monitored at any time, and all IP traffic can be at least tracked.

As far as encryption, yes you can encrypt files but you would do better to keep everything you need on a USB flash stick that you take with you whenever you walk away from the computer. Still encrypt the files on it, just in case you leave it or something, but that would preclude most evidence being left on your computer.

I agree with Catocony, but I would go one step further.

Get Anonymmizer Anti Spyware software. It allows you to shred cookies and completely surf anonymously.

Keep in mind, some sites won't allow you to surf anonymously. It will appear that the server isn't reachable but it will be your anonymous surfing that is the problem.

As far as encrypting your personal files, you can go to any computer store and get a "file cabinet" program that will encrypt and password protect your files. Probably available for less than $50.

I think a better solution is to rent some space on a remote server for $5 to $10 a month and have it password protected. Thats easy to do, just get a computer magazine and you will see dozens of ads for that service.

That will take away the suspicion from whoever you are trying to hide from since the files won't even be on your drive anymore. Also these services often back up your files as part of the service.

BG,

You need to ask who you're trying to defend against.

You can encrypt your whole hard drive if your fear is a stolen laptop or computer system.

You can encrypt certain files, but the risk there is that they're obviously encrypted files, and if they're dvd-quality porno it will be pretty obvious: what else would you have that's encrypted and that size -- dvd files are big.

You can encrypt emails, if your partners know about decrypting them.

You can erase your browser history, as suggested, but that's not going to keep you from getting invaded by the IT security group if they see you hitting the wrong URL.

Anonymizer software exists but won't work if you're inside a corporate firewall. The anonymizer works by "rewriting" URLS, so that "www.sex.com" becomes "http://www.secret.com?url=www.sex.com" or some such. As a result, the IP address changes but the urls still have the secrets in them. This doesn't matter AT ALL if you're on a home connection, but if you're using a work-based VPN or plugging in at work, the admins can see what you're requesting.

So yeah, it's a foolish plan to use a work network and expect to hide. You can use a work LAPTOP connected to your HOME network if you're good about scrubbing your cookies and browser history. Opera and Firefox have both got good support for automatically scrubbing this kind of stuff.

But I think your best bet is to clearly identify what you want to protect against. The "bigger" the threat you're protecting against, the more expensive (time, money, effort) it is to be protected.

Dem Gnomes

for browsing (and other online activities) you may want to check out Tor it's a little more secure than annonymizer I think...

http://tor.eff.org/overview.html.en