Clearing Forms and Passwords

Did you ever wonder how your browser remembers which password to recall for each individual site? Have you wondered how it remembers what you last umpteenth search string was, and had it all ready for you the next time you put the cursor in the search box?

More importantly, how do you get rid of it should you not want others seeing all that information?

(in case I’ve lost some of you at this point, I’ve got a fabulous example of why one might want to clear the information. If you’ve ever gone to a site and purchased something, go ahead and go back to that site and put the cursor in the credit card number field. Type in the first number of your card – and then watch as the rest of it gets filled in for you)

A classic example is when you need to use your computer at a lab or kiosk. And then you might be donating or selling your computer to someone else. But regardless of the reason, you should be allowed to clean up after yourself. And you can! * Note: Once these are gone, say hasta la vista baby. You probably shouldn’t do this unless you’ve got all your passwords stashed away.

1. Go to Tools, then Internet Options.

2. Change to the Content tab.

3. Click on the Autocomplete button.

4. This will pop up a new window for you. In front of you are two new buttons, Clear Password and Clear Forms. Clicking on these one at a time will clear your browser. So if you’re sure, then go ahead and click them now.

Well, hopefully now it’s easier to see how cleaning up after yourself can be a good thing every once in awhile. Boy, I can’t believe I just said that.