Privacy Tools

Address Munging
Information Only Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
“How to mung your email address for newsgroups (without causing harm to someone else):
“There are two basic things to keep in mind.
1. Never expose a valuable address to spammers and
2. Never use an email address that you don’t have a right to use.
“If you don’t own an address or have explicit permission to use it, you shouldn’t use it.”
Anchor Link Anonymizing Google’s Cookie
Information Only Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
Version: 2.0 – Released: 2008-09
“If you use Google, and you accept it’s cookie, you should give some thought to the implications, both good and potentially bad : this page tries to help you do that, together with an easy way to anonymize it without missing out on its benefits.”
Anchor Link Anti Tracks
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2013-02-26
Version: 9.0.1 – Released: 2013-02-26 Windows: All
File Size: 2.7 MB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“Anti Tracks enables you to erase your internet tracks, computer activities and other tracks with the click of a button. It supports all major browsers as well as many third party applications via plug-ins. The included plug-in wizard allows you to create your own custom plug-ins for files, folders and registry entries to be deleted. You can perform clean-up operations manually, as needed, or automatically using the built-in scheduler. Anti Tracks supports secure deletion options that comply with DOD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, NSA and other algorithms. In addition to removing your PC tracks, the program also includes several other utilities that include IP consealing (via proxy server), a duplicate file finder, a junk file cleaner, a startup manager, an option to lock and/or hide selected files and folders, and more.”
Anchor Link BleachBit
License: GNU GPL – Open Source Last Reviewed: 2013-01-13
Version: 0.9.5 – Released: 2013-01-13 Windows: XP, Vista, 7
File Size: 6 MB Portable version available on-site
Both 32-bit and 64-bit supported
“BleachBit quickly frees disk space, removes hidden junk, and easily guards your privacy. Erase cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, remove unused localizations, shred logs, and delete temporary files. Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean over 50 applications including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Flash, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Adobe Reader, APT, and more.
“Beyond simply deleting files, BleachBit includes advanced features such as shredding files to prevent recovery, wiping free disk space to hide traces of files deleted by other applications, and vacuuming Firefox to make it faster.”
Anchor Link BugMeNot
License: Free Online Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
Bypass Compulsory Web Registration
“In order to access this content, you must first register online. Um… excuse me? I think I’ll pass, thank you very much. Chances are that you have encountered a site that requires you to register in order to receive the content. No doubt your reaction in many of these cases is similar to the above example.
“Because of this annoyance, I was overjoyed to find BugMeNot. This site gives you the login codes to a couple thousand of these ‘free’ registration sites. This frees you from the hassle of giving up your personal information. The site is incredibly simple to use. All you have to do is type in the URL of the offending site, and the login information will be given to you. If you have one that you would like to add, just submit it to the site. BugMeNot is constantly growing with new site submissions, so stay tuned. Is this an ethical thing to do? Well, you can decide for yourself. As for me, I think this site is fantastic. Take that, all of you registration form practitioners! Yeah, I’m looking at you, Washington Post.” Brandon Watts
Anchor Link CCleaner
License: Freeware – Donations appreciated Last Reviewed: 2013-04-25
Version: 4.01.4093 – Released: 2013-04-25 Windows: XP, Vista, 7, 8
File Size: 4.0 MB Portable version available on-site
Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less that a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! 🙂 Cleans the following:
¤ Internet Explorer Cache, History, Cookies, Index.dat.
¤ Firefox Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history.
¤ Recycle Bin, Temporary files and Log files.
¤ Recently opened URLs and files.
¤ Third-party application temp files and recent file lists (MRUs).
¤ Advanced Registry scanner and cleaner to remove unused and old entries.
¤ Backup for registry clean.”
[ For additional security/privacy, Note that: CCleaner’s Drive Wiper feature can overwrite free space (including disk space formerly used by files) with 1 to 35 passes. The more passes you ask for, the harder it is to recover old data. Ed.]
[ A portable version is available here:
( Portable CCleaner ); Ed. ]
[ The setup program includes a toolbar which does not have to be installed to use the software; the portable version does not include this toolbar; Ed. ]
[ For a good CCleaner Documention page, click here:
( CCleaner Documentation ); Ed. ]
Anchor Link Free Internet Window Washer
License: Freeware – Donations appreciated Last Reviewed: 2012-06-01
Version: 3.1 – Released: 2012-05-31 Windows: All
File Size: 1.2 MB Portable version available on-site
“Free Internet Window Washer is a free internet tracks eraser and privacy cleaner software. With a simple click Free Internet Window Washer securely erase your internet tracks, computer activities and programs history information stored in many hidden files on your computer. It also provides you option to clean the data from your PC more securely so that they could not be recovered.
“Free Internet Window Washer allows you to erase Window’s temp folders, run history, search history, open/save history, recent documents, your browser’s cache, cookies, history, visited URLs, typed URLs, auto complete memory, index.dat files, and much more. You can also easily erase the tracks of up to 100 popular applications.”
Anchor Link Internet Cleanup Tools
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
A nice list of Freeware utilities that will allow you to:
“Clean your browser cache, surfing history, recently used documents, cookies, stored passwords and much more…”
Anchor Link Mil Shield
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-03-12
Version: 7.9 – Released: 2012-02-31 Windows: All
File Size: 4 MB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“Mil Shield protects your privacy by removing all tracks from your online or offline PC activities. Mil Shield cleans the following tracks: AutoComplete forms and passwords, all Index.dat files, temporary Internet files, cookies, all Firefox, Opera, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Avant tracks, UserData records, typed URL history, browse history records, most recently used download folder, recent documents history, most recently used folders records of the Windows shell, common file dialogs history, file and computer search history, Start menu Run history and frequently used programs, Recycle Bin at low level (not only through the Windows), Windows temporary files, and restores your home page if it is hijacked and finally it cleans the tracks of some popular applications.
“Purchase provides:
• Time unlimited usage.
• Online support for two years.
• Free upgrades for one year.”
Anchor Link MRU-Blaster
License: Freeware – Donations appreciated Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
Version: 1.5 – Released: 2004-03-30 Windows: 9x, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
File Size: 496 KB
“MRU-Blaster is a program made to do one large task – detect and clean MRU (most recently used) lists on your computer. These MRU lists contain information such as the names and/or locations of the last files you have accessed. They are located ALL OVER your registry, and for almost ANY file type.
“By looking at these MRU lists, someone could determine what files you opened/saved/looked at, what their file names were, and much more! (And, in many cases, the lists are displayed in drop-down menus automatically.) With additional plug-ins that allow you to clean out your Temporary Internet Files and Cookies, MRU-Blaster enhances the protection of your privacy!”
Anchor Link myWIFIzone
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
Version: 4.0 – Released: 2007-04-20 Windows: 2000, XP
“myWIFIzone is a WIFI internet access blocker that blocks intruders from using your wireless connection to surf the Internet. Features include real-time alerts and logging right on your desktop and it’s compatible with WEP/WPA.
“Starting today, you don’t have to provide free internet access to everyone that wanders into your wireless zone. myWIFIzone is a fantastic new software application that blocks them — for free! myWIFIzone lets you decide who gets blocked and who doesn’t with a click of the mouse. So you can give ‘Uncle Bill’ in Apartment 301 free access, while blocking ‘Freddy Freeloader’ who lives on the second floor. You don’t need to wade through tedious router logs or set up complicated firewalls. myWIFIzone gives you real-time alerts, event logging and intruder blocking right from your PC or laptop.”
Anchor Link Privacy and Registry Cleaner
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2011-02-15
Version: 3.5 – Released: 2010-01-04 Windows: All
File Size: 1.15 MB
“Privacy and Registry Cleaner is a safe and easy-to-use privacy protection tool, that allows you to erase common Internet and computing tracks, including browser cache, cookies, visited websites, typed URLs, recent documents, index.dat files and more. You can also easily erase the tracks of up to 100 popular applications. It also includes an option to overwrite deleted data multiple times, so it cannot be easily recovered. The cookie cleaning feature allows you to specify which cookies to keep, so that you don’t erase your important login cookies. You also can schedule automatic erasing for any time you like and use boss key to hide all browser windows in one quick keystroke! Works with Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome.
“In addition, the program comes with a registry scanner to optimize your system registry by finding and removing errors and invalid entries. After fixing the invalid entries, your system will be more stable and run faster. For maximum safety, Privacy and Registry Cleaner will make a backup of the repaired entries. You will be able to restore any changes made using the software by choosing Restore registry backup.”
Anchor Link Privacy Eraser
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2013-04-30
Std Version: 8.80 – Released: 2013-04-28 Windows: XP, Vista, 7, 8
Pro Version: 9.80 – Released: 2013-04-28 Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
Requires: IE 5.0 or higher
“Privacy Eraser is a very useful program for cleaning up the history of your activities on a computer. Features: Erase Internet Explorer Cache Files; Erase Internet Explorer Cookies; Erase Internet Explorer URL History; Erase Internet Explorer Index.dat Files; Erase Internet Explorer AutoComplete Memory; Erase Windows Recent Documents History; Erase Windows Start Menu Run History; Erase Windows Start Menu Find History; Erase Windows Recycle Bin; Erase Windows Temporary Files Directory; Erase Windows MediaPlayer Recent Files List; Secure Erase Files; Select which cookies you want to keep; Free space on your Hard Drive!; Speed up your computer!; And much more . . .”
Anchor Link PurgeFox
License: Shareware – $24.95 Last Reviewed: 2012-03-12
Version: 4.06 – Released: 2012-02-07 Windows: All
File Size: 1 MB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“PurgeFox is a utility program specifically designed for users of the popular FireFox browser for removing the surfing tracks retained by FireFox and Windows. PurgeFox lets you easily protect the Cookies you want to keep and quickly delete the rest. PurgeFox optionally displays a list of the items it deletes and provides a ‘Preview’ function to let you determine the items that would be deleted by the ‘Purge’ function. PurgeFox frees up wasted space on your HardDrive.
“With PurgeFox, you can delete FireFox History, delete FireFox Cache, clean FireFox URLs, delete Windows Temp folder data, clear FireFox AutoComplete data and remove FireFox Search information. PurgeFox supports FireFox versions 0.9 – 3.x and Internet Explorer 5.0 – 8.0.”
Anchor Link Window Washer
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2010-07-18
Version: 6.5.5.155 – Released: 2007-11-27 Windows: 2000, XP, Vista
File Size: 3.8 MB
“Window Washer helps to preserve your Internet privacy and conserve drive space by cleaning up your computer. It cleans your browsers cache, cookies, and history, and it also cleans the Windows recycle bin, temp directory, recent document list and much more! Cleaning can be scheduled at various times, or when the system starts up or shuts down. Window Washer works with IE, Netscape, AOL, NeoPlanet and Opera. It also has a cookie keeper option which allows you to save specific cookies from useful sites while erasing all other cookies. Hundreds of Free Plug-ins are available to clean up the junk files of popular applications.”