| Data privacy is becoming a big issue nowadays. | | | | for the entry |
| Especially with shared computers, it becomes | | | | s\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32". If this entry is |
| important to have some way of keeping private data | | | | not found, meaning that it does not yet exist, create |
| secure and inaccessible. Because of this, many | | | | it by clicking to the Policies key. Then go to the Edit |
| operating systems already offer built-in security | | | | menu, select New (then select Key), type in |
| measures that can create separate password | | | | "comdlg32" and press Enter. Once the "Comdlg32" |
| protected accounts for different users, or even | | | | key is created, go to the Edit menu and select New |
| simply password protect specific files or folders. Most | | | | again. This time, select DWORD Value. In the entry |
| internet browsers also offer the option of clearing | | | | box that pops up, type in "nofilemru" and click OK or |
| private data accumulated from browsing sessions, | | | | press Enter. Finally, go to the Edit menu again, select |
| such as website history, cookies, and so on. | | | | Modify, type in 1, and press Enter. Then the registry |
| However, there is another, less obvious way of | | | | editing is finished, and no more new MRU entries are |
| sneaking a peek at private information: MRU or most | | | | going to be created. For those entries that have |
| recently used lists. These lists are implemented by | | | | already been created and are already on the MRU |
| many programs, and keep track of which items have | | | | list, it is necessary to download MRU deletion utilities. |
| been most recently accessed on the computer. While | | | | There are several options available on the internet |
| this was intended to simply be a convenient feature | | | | for download, of varying sizes and feature packages. |
| to grant easy access to recently used items, they | | | | Some of these utilities would also be able to detect |
| also represent a moderate vulnerability. That is, these | | | | and delete browsing histories, browser caches, and |
| MRU lists, if left filled, enable other users to possible | | | | cookies, along with MRU items. Others are smaller |
| look at the details of what one has been working on, | | | | and to the point, deleting only MRU entries for |
| what documents have been accessed recently, and | | | | specific programs. Depending on one's particular need, |
| so on. For those who do not use these MRU lists and | | | | one should select the proper MRU deletion software. |
| would like to disable them, the first step is to stop | | | | The use of these programs is typically described |
| the creation of new entries on these lists. In | | | | either in an online help file or within the program itself, |
| Windows XP, this can be done by editing the registry. | | | | while it is running. Use of these MRU deletion |
| (A note of caution: editing the registry incorrectly | | | | programs, after disabling the MRU list in the registry, |
| may cause serious problems for the operating | | | | will ensure that no information would be available to |
| system. Be sure to double check each step of the | | | | others through MRU items. |
| process, and be extra careful whenever working with | | | | If you are interested in delete MRU, check this |
| the registry.) Click Start, then Run, and type "regedit". | | | | web-site to learn more about delete recent files. |
| After clicking OK, the Registry Editor will open. Look | | | | |