After installing a firewall, antivirus tool and spyware detector, you might think your PC privacy and security was assured. But you'd be wrong. The reality is that Windows, web browsers and most other applications all maintain details of things you're doing, like files you're opening or viewing, web sites you've visited and so on. And they probably won't ask you about it. You may not even notice, but it means that anyone with access to your PC can find out exactly what you've been doing on it in the minimum of time.

Privacy Guardian resolves these problem by clearing away many of the tracks left behind on your PC. The Browser Settings section can selectively delete any or all of Internet Explorer's auto-complete form data, cookies, downloaded program files, cache files, history or address bar URLs. And it directly supports clearing your tracks in Firebox, Mozilla, Netscape and the Opera browser, too.

The other section included here is entitled "Windows Settings", although that's a little misleading. It does wipe the various history lists that Windows maintains (recent files, the Search history, Run history and so on), but also deletes information in less obvious areas (the temporary files folder, the Recycle bin, the clipboard, more). And it optionally deletes the Recent File list in all Microsoft Office applications, too.

Any or all of these tracks may be deleted at the click of a Privacy Guardian button. Or if that's too much hassle, then tell the program to erase them when Windows starts, or at regular intervals ranging from 30 minutes to 2 days. A bonus Shredder tool for securely deleting confidential files rounds off a very useful privacy tool.

Note ignore the ‘time limited demo’ reference on this page. You need to obtain your serial code by heading to www.pctools.com/privacy-guardian/free/promo/VNU1006

This full commercial download will be available until on or around the 28^th of January 2007.

UPGRADE OFFER - save 20% on Privacy Guardian 4.1

Install Privacy Guardian and you'll benefit from plug-ins that clean the history of over 100 third-party programs, including chat tools, P2P applications, image viewers and more. A Custom Clean feature lets you define the files, folders or Registry keys that should be deleted to clear the history of other applications, while the Bleach Free Space option prevents any cleaned files from being undeleted later. The program normally costs £19.95, but upgrade now and you'll save 20%. Use the coupon code VNU1006 or visit http://www.pctools.com/privacy-guardian/free/promo/VNU1006 to find out more.