CTRL H is only the beginning. Keep your online travels private.

It is possible that some victims of abuse haven't returned to Curezone because their abusers have found their online activities (cutting off one of the last connections to the outside world the victims had). Since I'm the only one who uses my computer, I don't know how erasing the tracks of online use works on a computer with 2 internet accounts (experiment wisely with caution), but let there be no doubt that erasing your tracks is VITAL and must start RIGHT NOW.

1) Windows XP (maybe only XP, I don't know if it is the same in other versions), press CTRL H (control H). You will see a dialog box asking "yes or no".
Do this now, I've done it online, there is no problem (deleting does mean that you have to sign back on Curezone and other sites with your passwords, even if you forget your passwords, all sites have a "Forgot your password" option and they send you an e-mail to pick a new password).
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http://www.internet-history-eraser.com/why.htm

(this shows what is left on the computer, "index.dat" is a file that can only be "cleaned" because even if you delete the file, it will always rebuild itself everytime the computer is turned on).
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"TYPE" is a command in D.O.S. (used to read a file), so instead of using that word, I'll just say "put". Windows XP doesn't have a COMPLETE DOS and you cannot delete a file that is being used by Windows, but Win 95 and 98 will allow you to reboot in DOS and then you can delete index.dat if you wish.
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2) At the bottom left of the keyboard between the CTRL key and ALT key is the "Windows" key, press it once while ALSO pressing F. Now you can search for any file on the computer. (can do right now, no problem)

Click on "Search all files and folders" in the box at the left. This will open a window asking for the name of the file that you are looking for, put "index.dat" (not the quotes) and press enter.

In a few seconds, there will be a list of directories where index.dat is used. You only want to delete the one in the COOKIES directory, but do nothing now.

The file "index.dat" is a file that is shared in a few directories, so you don't want to be careless and delete it by NAME (this is what is dangerous about the privacy programs that promise to "delete the file", unless you get an expensive one, they will most likely delete ALL files by that name). If you have a firewall, you MIGHT have nothing in this file.
------------------This file can be read with the EDIT command in D.O.S. more easily than with the TYPE command (if you have EDIT on your computer). Put EDIT index.dat (nothing in DOS is case sensitive, I'm only adding emphasis) and enter.
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Also look at the file with DOS (this is where you will DELETE later only this is not a complete version of DOS right now).

3)-Press the "Windows" key once and click "run", put "cmd" and enter (this is a "DOS" window, but you're still in "Windows" and cannot delete index.dat yet, just get familiar with DOS before you reboot).
Different versions of Windows will have different directory names, but you are not yet in the ROOT directory. Put "CD\" and enter, now you are in the root directory (C:\>).

At C:\>, put "dir index.dat /s" and enter (the /s means to search the WHOLE hard drive, it's called the forward slash (or backslash?). In a few seconds, you'll see a list of all the directories where that file is being used. When you restart the computer, you'll be restarting it in a "complete" version of DOS and will be able to delete that file because Windows will not be running. You will also be able to rename the file so that it simply will be inactive or you can change the contents of the file to be meaningless. Nevertheless, the file (in name only, but ready to be filled by whatever site gains access to it) will always exist.
Put DIR and enter (DIR/p will show PER PAGE, and you will see the file "index.dat" somewhere near the top (never put quotes in the command) and need to press enter a few more times to get to the end of the directory.

This file can be read with the EDIT command in D.O.S. more easily than with the TYPE command (if you have EDIT on your computer). Put EDIT index.dat (nothing in DOS is case sensitive, I'm only adding emphasis) and press enter, if you don't have EDIT, put TYPE index.dat | MORE (pipe symbol below backspace key).You can change the name of the file, change the contents of the file, it doesn't matter, the file itself will rebuild (it will be empty) if you delete it. You will find many things on this file that you never knew you had (loaded from the internet without your knowledge).
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4) If you do choose to reboot into DOS (just can't be done in XP, only 95 and 98) so that you can delete, you can also get to the ROOT directory by pressing " CD.." (instead of slash) and search with the same command (C:\>dir index.dat /s). Make sure you go to the COOKIES directory in order to delete or modify this ONE file (press CD [directory name] and press enter (I don't know if the others rebuild).

Before you actually delete, press "dir/p" (per page) and enter just to make sure where you are (it will only show one page at a time, press enter to go to next page). Put EDIT index.dat. Scroll through the file,...down, and, sideways if necessary to read the WHOLE file. Access the commands at the top of the screen by pressing ALT and the first letter of the command, you can edit the file and change it's contents or delete it. It will rebuild itself EMPTY if you delete (always double check later). In order to leave DOS and return to Windows, put EXIT.
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http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/privacy/history.html

(this shows that Firefox is better for internet privacy and you can get it here also).
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This website gives instructions to clear your cache when you enter Internet Explorer: (I copied and pasted the most important part)
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http://.www.clearallhistory.com/clear-browser-history.html


To select individual files to erase:
Choose Tools, Internet Options and click the Settings button under the General tab. Select View Files to open a folder window showing what IE stored while you were browsing. Delete individual items there if you want.

To wipe the cache entirely: Click Tools from the top navigation bar, Internet Options, Delete Files under the General tab, check Delete all offline content and click OK twice.
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(if you look for something called the "Application" key (helpful), it's on the bottom right of the keyboard between CTRL and WIN key (press Windows key, click run, put "osk" and enter).

Pressing the "Win key" and "D" (can do it now) will instantly hide the internet to the task bar, pressing again opens it back up (you can hide your task bar in the Start menu).

You can search for any file in the hard drive in DOS by using the /s and send the results of your search to a file of your own choosing, you don't even have to create the file beforehand. Put iforgo?.hu? /s >myfile
The ? is a wildcard and means that you forgot the complete name. The results of the search will go into myfile instead of you having to sit at the computer for 2 minutes in order to see all the results scroll by.
You will be able to read the file with TYPE myfile | more (one page at a time), but won't be able to print in DOS (maybe copy to a Windows directory for copy and paste later?).
The command to rename is RENAME myfile whoever. Sorry XP people, you can search, but cannot delete Windows files (only 95er's and 98er's).

There ARE "rogue" files on the computer, but index.dat seems to be a file of the operating system that is most commonly exploited. What your first concern should be what your abuser can find out about your online activities.
Check out the Computer Support forum.

//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=731681







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