{"id":23454,"date":"2011-08-09T08:19:26","date_gmt":"2011-08-09T13:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/?p=23454"},"modified":"2011-08-09T08:19:26","modified_gmt":"2011-08-09T13:19:26","slug":"ask-leo-how-much-of-my-search-history-could-be-recovered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/ask-leo-how-much-of-my-search-history-could-be-recovered\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask Leo: How much of my search history could be recovered?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"askleo\"<\/p>\n

By Leo Notenboom<\/p>\n

Hey Leo, Just wondering. The recent trial in Florida where the DA searched the
\nplaintiff’s computer and found an incriminating internet search for formaldehyde
\nleads me to ask two questions. I mainly use CCleaner after using the net to clear
\ncookies, but it also clears history and other stuff. Does CCleaner or even manually erasing history actually remove the history from the hard drive? Is every bloody key stroke permanently kept on the HD? And if so, where? Nothing to hide. Just curious.<\/em><\/p>\n

Unless you have spyware installed on your computer, “every bloody
\nkeystroke” is not being recorded. I get that question often enough that it seems like many
\npeople are concerned about it – it’s just not the case.<\/p>\n

As for finding other things and seeing what CCleaner or other tools might or
\nmight not erase – well, things get complicated pretty quick.<\/p>\n

Does removing history remove history?<\/h3>\n

Yes and no.<\/p>\n

The problem here is that there are several “levels” of delete and many
\ncan be recovered, depending on the level and the amount of effort (and perhaps money) that you’re willing to throw at the problem.<\/p>\n

“… the possibilities are at least worth knowing about, even
\nif you truly have nothing to hide.”<\/div>\n