Internet Explorer "History" function

ednotdave

Is it possible to stop the history list from being deleted? I need to check out my teenagers internet use! The history list is set to 30 days, but only shows "today" - so I assume it's being deleted each day...

Thanks.

alanrowell

Looks as if your teenagers are deleting the history every day to stop you finding out what they've been looking at, try checking the temporary internet files though it's likely they'll have cleaned them out as well

sra

IE saves your web history even after it has been erased in what's called index.dat

A quick search found this - but I'm sure there are plenty of others
It has the option to view index.dat from the menu

But any good privacy protection program will remove index.dat so if you have any on your computer theses will be gone

FJSRiDER

ednotdave wrote:

Is it possible to stop the history list from being deleted? I need to check out my teenagers internet use! The history list is set to 30 days, but only shows "today" - so I assume it's being deleted each day...

Depends.

If you are the 'administrator' and the users have different accounts you can restrict their ability to do certain actions with the policy editor

If everyone uses the same account than you could install some software to track internet use.... Kinda depends on what you want/need to find out.

s30jok

if you have windows xp have a look at the Start - Recent opened documents - any opened or watched 'movies or mpegs etc' watched online are sometimes listed here

if you have any internet trace removing software disable them or remove them too

andy88_2

sra wrote:

IE saves your web history even after it has been erased in what's called index.dat

index.dat lives here - nb Content.IE5 even in IE6

C:\Documents and Settings\~username~\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

Try to open it; get the Windows cannot open ... box;

> Choose the program from a list > use Notepad

ednotdave

Still no joy with this - index.dat shows "no contents" - I think it's being emptied when the history is cleared.

Any more ideas..?

robnye

have you got a program called something like 'washer'..........

these clear down ie sites visited, cookies etc.....

have a look under control panel, add/remove a program..... check them all, if there is anything you are not sure off, then check on the internet

alternatively, set up an account for your kids, with no supervisor/admin rights, that way you can control waht they can install/downlaod etc....

moomintroll_3

Why not try FreeProxy, this will allow your kids to delete the history/cookies etc etc as often as they want but it won't matter as this software keeps a backup file of every site (and every graphic etc etc) viewed through any browser you point it at...

Alternatively give them a limited account and install something like netnanny.

G

criminal_smile

You could always install a keylogger......this will let you know exactly what they're up to. But one question.....as a parent...how do you pull them for looking at 'erotic' sites etc. I dread the day I have to do this. Have already had words with 10 yr old for ogling FHM, although secretly proud....:D

ribenagirl

I loathe keylogger programmes, having had one used on myself. They are a detestable invasion of privacy - checking website history is one thing, but spying on everything your children write IMHO, spying on anyone like that is totally unacceptable.

It logs everything - including email content. How would you feel if you viewed something incredibly intimate or personal that your children were discussing with their friends? You'd find it hard to forgive yourself believe me. Teenagers shouldn't, and don't, divulge everything to their parents, that's part of growing up.

If you want your kids to feel humiliated - go ahead. If you don't, I suggest you consider something like NetNanny which allows you to block access to unsuitable sites and chat rooms - but sparing your teenager a little privacy and dignity by NOT spying on them.

I'm sorry if I've come over a bit strong, but this is something I feel VERY strongly about!