Modern Web browsers record nearly everything you see and do online. The saved information is often a convenience. However, it can be easily found and seen by the wrong eyes. This is especially true on public computers, but also a concern on a shared family computer.

The following are the major types of information saved by browsers:

Cookies--Cookies are text files used by Web sites to store information between visits. Cookies are typically used to save site customizations, previous search results, or login names. They are also used for online shopping carts.

However, cookies are usually named after the sites that create them. So they can reveal where you have visited. Also, some cookies are used by advertisers to track your Internet surfing habits. They're known as third-party cookies.

History--Most browsers keep a list of the Web addresses you have visited. It allows you to look for recently visited addresses that you forgot or failed to bookmark. The history list is also the easiest way for others to see just about every Web page you've viewed.

Forms--Forms are the blank boxes for entering information on Web pages. For example, the search box on Google is a form. Forms are also used for login pages and sweepstakes entries. Most browsers will save the search keywords, billing addresses or usernames that you enter. Other people using the same computer will be able to see this information.