15th September 2000

Passwords float softly about the Internet, like so many secrets wafting over the deepest ocean. Pardon me, I felt the need to wax poetic. In less romantic terms, site accounts are a necessity for any Web surfer; later versions of IE will store and retrieve your login information when you return to the form in question. That's AutoComplete! Remember to turn it OFF when you're not surfing on your own system. Otherwise, you may be exposing yourself to a little privacy problem. Select INTERNET OPTIONS from the TOOLS menu; on the CONTENT tab, click the AUTOCOMPLETE button. Either clear the history after you surf (asking permission first, if necessary). Or turn off the feature entirely for the duration of your session. Prompting may already be turned off, so MAKE SURE you cover your tracks before you walk away. This tip will self destruct in five seconds.