How to view your browser history and delete it without a trace

Everything we do on the Internet, whether it be surfing, chatting, shopping or watching videos, leaves a mark. This is inevitable, no matter how much we don't like it. All web browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.) collect our data to establish a connection with the landing page and show us the requested information, as we can verify when view history.

In this process, a large amount of data is automatically stored in the browser's own cache memory. That is the trace left by our movements on the Internet How can this trail be accessed? Is it possible to delete this data? That is what we are going to discuss in this post.

Before continuing, it should be noted that Clearing internet or browser history does not completely eliminate risk to which we referred before. With this action what we do is clear the complete browser cache, clean the temporary memory where the data used is stored. Deleting that fingerprint would also mean deleting the download history, access data and passwords and even images and specific data hosted on some web pages.

It is also fair to say that the data that is saved does not imply that there is anyone spying on us. Actually, the information is stored in order to improve the browsing experience and comfort. For example, this reduces the loading times of a previously visited page.

Still It is advisable to clear the browser cache regularly. In this way, the risks that these data may be observed by prying eyes is considerably reduced. This is an elementary security question: although it is true that the browser only saves the history of the pages visited, a seasoned hacker can extract much more information about us from it.

Above all, it is important to erase the history if we use a computer shared with other users (for example, at your workplace) or if you connect, for example, from an internet cafe or an open WiFi network.

That said, let's see below how the browsing history can be seen depending on the browser we are using. And also what are the steps to follow to delete it, if we consider that this is necessary.

In Google Chrome

Let's start the most popular and used browser in the world (It is estimated that it is the preferred option for four out of five Internet users worldwide) and, of course, also in Spain. Chrome is the leading browser on the market, well above its immediate follower, Mozilla Firefox.

Also, do not forget that Google Chrome is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop operating systems. Also on Android and iOS systems for smartphones. Whichever one you use, the procedure to consult and delete the history is the same:

To view the history in Chrome there are two methods:

• Press the keys Control+H.
• Ir a «Settings» (the three dots on the top right) and select the option "Record".

The results appear in chronological order, with the pages that we have recently visited first. There's a search field to locate visited pages.

The option "Tabs of other devices" offers us the results of the user's history segmented by device that we have used to navigate: the home computer, the work computer, the mobile, a tablet, etc.

To erase the history, we access it through one of the two methods mentioned above. Next, click on the "History" tab to display the complete list of pages visited.

• For delete all history, we choose the option "Clear browsing data".
• If we only want partially clear history, there are several options: by time interval (one or several specific dates, the pages visited during the last hour, etc.) or even by checking the selection box of certain pages, choosing them one by one to be eliminated from the history.

In Mozilla Firefox

Launched in 2002, Mozilla Firefox It is the second browser in the world by number of users. Like Chrome, it can be used with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It also has a mobile version for iOS and Android.

The methods for viewing and erasing history differ for the PC version or the mobile phone version. Let's look at each of the two assumptions:

In the case of the desktop version, these are the steps to follow:

1. First we click on the icon menu (the three horizontal bars) and from there we will "Options".
   Then we select the category "Privacy & Security".
2. In it we look for the option of "Record". By clicking on it, all our browsing history will appear that we can consult in detail.
3. The deletion options can be selected in whole or in part (browsing, downloads, cookies ...).
4. Finally, the final elimination is carried out by clicking on the button "Clean now."

The process for Mozilla Firefox for mobile is slightly different. This is what we should do:

• Click on the icon menu (again the three horizontal bars). Depending on the configuration, this is located at the bottom or top of the screen.
• Then we select "Options".
  • On Android You have to select the option "Clean private data" integrated into the "Privacy & Security" menu. To execute the data deletion, click on "Clear data".
  • On iOS Access the Firefox configuration menu and select "Data Management". Then you have to move the button for visited pages to the right. Finally, we click on "Clear private data."

In Safari

Safari, Apple's browser, It comes installed in all the brand's devices. However, the procedure for clearing the search history is different. There is one specific for Mac computers and another for iOS devices.

This is what to do to see and delete the browsing history if we use Safari on macOS:

1. First of all, we go to the top menu bar to click on "Safari".
2. Next, we select "Record" to view it. If what we want is to delete it, we use the option "Clear history and website data", using the custom options that the system offers.

On iOS devices, the procedure is as follows:

1. First we open the menu of "Settings".
2. Then we click on the option "Safari".
3. Then we select "Record" to view or "Clear history and website data" To erase.
4. To confirm the deletion, press "Clear history and data."

In Opera

Despite being an old browser (it was released in 1996) and less and less used, it is still useful for many users. What's more, Opera it is perfectly compatible with the main operating systems, such as Windows, macOS and Linux. Like Mozilla Firefox, the methods to view the history and eventually delete it differ depending on whether the device used is a computer or a smartphone.

On a desktop computer, proceed as follows:

1. The first step is to click "Record"- The clock icon displayed in the sidebar. All visited websites will appear there.
2. If after the consultation we want to delete all or part of the history, press "Clear browsing data". 
3. Finally, we select the desired options and agree by clicking on "Delete data".

Whereas in Opera Mini (the smartphone version), you have to go to the "Settings" menu and select the option "Clear browsing data".

In Microsoft Edge

Let's see now how to view the history in Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer, which despite everything continues to be used by many users. The process runs like this:

1. First step: we click on the three point icon.
2. select "Setting".
3. In the drop-down menu we find the option "Exploration history" to see the pages visited and the "Clear browsing data" to remove them.
4. Finally, we click on "Delete".

On the Internet Samsung

Lastly, we review the mode of consultation and deletion of history in Samsung Internet. As you surely already know, since 2012 the South Korean brand has its own browser to run on Android, which it installs on all the smartphones and tablets it manufactures.

For convenience, many Samsung users do not bother to install another browser, since everything they need is already offered by this one. It is for this reason that there are so many Samsung Internet users around the world. In this case, to check the browsing history and delete it, the steps to follow are these:

1. We open the settings menu by pressing the icon with three horizontal bars.
2. Then we select "Privacy & Security".
3. The options that we have here are those of consultation (choosing «Browsing history») or deleted ("Delete navigation data").
4. To execute the cache clearing, you must finally press the button "Remove".