Most people think that online privacy can be achieved largely through antivirus, anti malware, anti spyware and a lot of other ‘anti' software. However, there is an aspect of internet privacy that's quite simple, and yet overlooked - and that's your browser. In fact this option is even more important while maintaining online privacy as you may be using a shared computer, workplace computer or even a computer in a public place such as an internet café, where you might not have any data to protect on your PC, but you will have to protect data that you send. At such times, you really don't have the privilege of installing anything, but a little check on the browser will go a long way.

So here are the things you need to look out for. Nearly all of the tinkering can be done via the ‘Options' tab under the ‘Tools' menu in most browsers like Mozilla Firefox, IE (Internet Explorer) and Safari. Google Chrome however, has only one ‘Settings' button (actually shaped like a spanner) and the ‘Options' below it. Click through to this tab and fiddle around with the following: 

1. Auto Complete options: Google chrome doesn't have this feature yet, but IE and Firefox do. Turn this option off. If left on, it will allow you to see everything that has have been typed in the browser previously and will give others after you the same benefit. Which means your email ID, and other fields like name and address, could become public property.
2. Remembering passwords: Turn this option off as well, for obvious reasons.
3. If sending sensitive emails from a shared or public computer, allow encryption of the emails. Look for this option in the privacy or security option.
4. On a PC, look for options that disallow third party cookies. This is easily found in Firefox. Go to Tools > Options > Security and disallow third party cookies. In Chrome go to ‘Settings' (Spanner shaped icon) > Options > under the hood. In IE go to Tools > Internet Options > Privacy. Restricting third party cookies is the most important aspect of maintaining online privacy.
5. At the same place, you will find a way to delete Temporary files - something you might want to do after you're done with your internet session on a shared or public computer and periodically on your PC.
6. MOST IMPORTANT: On a public or shared PC, once you're done with the browsing, ensure that you clear browsing data. This option will be available directly under the Tools menu in Firefox (Clear private data); under the spanner button in Chrome; and in the ‘Clear History' button found in Tools > Internet Options > General in IE.