IE10 uses WebcacheV01.dat vs index.dat files. How to clear/delete?

[UsernameIssues]

 

[Anak]

Thanks,

My apologies for being a little dense here, I just got up and haven't scratched my brain yet.
So what I'm seeing is from V01.dat?

Then why, when I specify the webcache folder it comes up with no entries??

 

[UsernameIssues]

I don't know what all the BrowsingHistoryView tool needs to see in order to show you the info.

If I drill down to this path...
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WebCache
...I get nothing.

If I leave the folder selection at...
C:\Users\
...I get info. But sometimes I have to reboot and reopen the BrowsingHistoryView tool to see the info.

If I try each profile folder below C:\Users\...
C:\Users\All Users
C:\Users\Default
C:\Users\Default User
C:\Users\Public
C:\Users\username
...I get nothing.

If you use desktop gadgets, they might prevent the tool from getting to the info.

 

[Anak]

I don't know what all the BrowsingHistoryView tool needs to see in order to show you the info.

Just to be on the safe side I show all folders, files, drives, and system files in Folder options >View Tab.

If I drill down to this path...
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WebCache
...I get nothing.

Same here.

If I leave the folder selection at...
C:\Users\
...I get info. But sometimes I have to reboot and reopen the BrowsingHistoryView tool to see the info.

Haven't tried that yet, will let you know.

If I try each profile folder below C:\Users\...
C:\Users\All Users
C:\Users\Default
C:\Users\Default User
C:\Users\Public
C:\Users\username
...I get nothing.

Same here. Haven't tried all those permutations yet, will let you know.

If you use desktop gadgets, they might prevent the tool from getting to the info.

No, no gadgets here. I strive to be a purist when it comes to anything involving computing, and using our machine.



Will have to get back to you later...Dinner will be ready in an hour, and I had a few moments to check my email.

The F1 Austin Texas race is on
Last Sprint cup race in Fla is coming up.
And a few American Football games I'm interested in are on.

Just might be around 10pm est before I can get back.....

 

[Lexus45]

Binks - any input on this MAJOR privacy issue and how to manage its collection of data?

I still find it hard to believe how little concern there is within the computing population over this topic.

 

[Brink]

Hello Lexus,

When privacy is a concern, then about all you can do, other than not be on the internet, is to use IE with InPrivate Browsing.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1274-internet-explorer-inprivate-browsing-turn.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1277-internet-explorer-inprivate-browsing-shortcut.html

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Lexus45]

Getting back on this item.

Brink, not sure using InPrivate Browsing even helps as we are not discussing the "user's" ability to delete browsing history, etc. If I recall, at least in IE versions prior to IE10, the InPrivate Browsing still accumulated in the index.dat files.

Years ago there was much concern about the index.dat files and there were instructions everywhere on how to delete these files due to them containing your entire browsing history. Amost any decent "cleaner" program would also rid your system of this files.

Starting with IE10, this gathering of information was moved to a more sophisticated process utilizing webcacheV01.dat files and no one seems know how to delete this information. And worse, cares to figure out how!!!

People, this is a record of everything you view and do on your computer. This information is available to anyone who knows how to obtain these files!!

 

[Britton30]

I'm concerned and was just pointed here, good info for us paranoiacs, I have the tee shirt and hat.

Searching for webcacheV01 with w7 search I got 2 webcacheV01.dat and 2 webcacheV01.temp files. @ of them I deleted manually and they went away, the other two say they are open is a host process, or something. This is a bit technical for me.

I am running the PZ program as I write this, it found over 8000 traces of "stuff".

Or maybe more....

 

[UsernameIssues]

As shown in post #19, the PZ tool changes the info in the database, but it leaves the date and time behind.

You could just delete the database:
...log off of the primary user account
...log on using an admin account
...delete the webcache folder of the primary user
...log off of the secondary account
...log back on to the primary account

Or, you can kill some services and delete the folder that way...
...but I'm not suggesting that to folks just yet.

 

[Lexus45]

But per my original Post #3, the PDF file attachment talks about "information" (remember these cache files are collecting and retaining browser information and computer usage information) first being collected by logs and then at some point being written into the Webcache files (seem to recall there is a period of time that this is done after IE is closed).
The forensic PDF talks about being able to obtain at least some data from those various log files even without the Webcache file. If so, they must go also.

FYI Brink, I had forgotten but that PDF article does say that some data is recoverable even if InPrivate browsing was utilized.

Until this gets sorted out, I have not installed IE10 so I can only convey what I read to those who may have already installed IE10 or now IE11.

There has to be a way for someone or a cleaner program company to figure this out - yes?

I'm surprised that the PZ - PrivaZer program does much of anything since they have yet to announce that they have solved this issue either.

 

[Britton30]

The PZ program does a lot more too. After using it if I add several pictures to a new folder it displays them as a details list. Formerly they appeared as large thumbnails.

It is odd they seem to have abandoned development on PZ.

 

[Callender]

Delete on reboot?

It seems that I can delete webcachev01.dat on reboot and the file gets recreated with a new smaller file size.

I'm having trouble viewing the contents so if anyone can point me in the direction of a file contents viewer that works - feel free.

I've tried a couple of Nirsoft products but all I see is an empty window. I have the full Nirsoft suite installed.

Also Bleachbit log shows the file as deleted but doesn't actually appear to delete it!

 

[Callender]

File content as shown by IECacheView

Downloaded latest version of IECacheView and analysis after deletion of webcacheV01.dat shows only the two most recent URL's (visited since deletion).

However analysis with HistoryViewer detects 18 URL's but doesn't display any useful info.

Obviously a 20Mb webcacheV01.dat file must contain other data but how is it possible to view the data?

 

[A Guy]

You can use LockHunter to delete it. Expand taskhost.exe, click on the WebCacheV01.dat, click on Delete it. It will tell you it can't be deleted. Choose to Delete At Next System Restart.

LockHunter is a free 64/32 bit tool to delete files blocked by any processes

A Guy

 

[Callender]

Latest news from PrivaZer team 12/12/13


Today, 07:04 AM
The_PrivaZer_Team

Frequent Poster

Re: Delete WebCacheV01.dat, WebCacheV01.dat Viewer & Deleter
Hello to all,
as promised, we can announce that we will add new features in the next release of PrivaZer v2.12
to delete WebCacheV01.dat or remove portions of it depending on what you need.

 

[spywriter007]

Hi Guys

I use CCleaner and with IE 8 and 9 it does delete index.dat.... so if this new dat file for IE 10 and 11 holds the same sort of info that 8 and 9 does then it seems to me that CCleaner and other companies should come up with a way to delete it.

Cricket

 

[Britton30]

The file webcacheV01.dat remains behind unaltered in IE10 and IE11 after a CCleaner run. Maybe Piriform will add it to the clean up item in the future.

 

[Lexus45]

Either none of the other Cleaner program developers care about privacy or this new way MS is caching your information in IE10 and IE11 is a real bear to crack the code and clean.

If PrivaZer succeeds in its promise, all other Cleaner type progams will have to follow.

Whoever installs the new PrivaZer program when the next version is available, pls post shots and comments on its effectiveness at this task.

 

[A Guy]

I will not be using the PrivaZer myself. Ran it after making my weekly images, and it slightly altered too many things. For instance, the read posts at 9F were bold, and the unread were not. Test over, reverted to image, no more PrivaZer.

A Guy

 

[Callender]

Undesired results after PrivaZer usage

Hi,

The first time I ran PrivaZer I let it clean everything it found and like you I restored from system image backup as I was unhappy with the results but I've stuck with running PrivaZer on occasions as after repeated usage I discovered how to set it up to meet my needs. Briefly for anyone else who reads this thread and decides to try PrivaZer:

Make a system image backup first.
From the GUI switch to Advanced User
Select only the scans that you require and configure options for removal and backup before scanning.
Review the scan results once the scan is complete and make sure that you're happy with the results before allowing removal.

Tip: It does take some time to run a scan. Personally I run the portable version directly from a RAMdisk to speed things up.
Tip: Your personal scan and backup/ removal settings can be saved in the PrivaZer.ini file.