The new version of Internet Explorer (version 7) has a simpler and more effective way to delete all references to the websites you've looked at from prying eyes (like your wife's or co-workers') who are using the same computer.

Here's how it works:

Click on Tools, then on Internet Options.

Then, in the General Folder, under Browsing History, click on "Delete...".  In the new window that will then open, click on "Delete All".

In the next window that then opens, be sure to check "Also delete files and settings stored by Add-Ons".

This checkbox feature (new in IE 7) will, for the first time, enable you to delete all the subjects you've previously typed into Yahoo or Google (which used to appear when someone started to type in their Search windows). So your wife will no longer see that you did a search for "CityI'mVisting Escorts", etc.

Then click on "Yes".  

[Yes!]

Being careful to do this, habitually, after each potentially-questionable internet session may save you a lot of embarassment and explaining(and possibly, divorce settlement).  

If you do not have IE 7 (and are using a previous IE version), click on Tools/Internet Options/Windows Update and follow Microsoft's easy-to-follow instructions. (The download takes a little time, but is free)

Users of other browsers (Mac, Firefox, Opera, et. al.): do you have parallel suggestions to share?

Computer professionals: have I missed or mis-stated anything here?