these files existing are somewhat of a double edge sword. i don't like knowing that bill can see where i've been, but as Kezil mentioned they are useful for law enforcement forensics. i used them when we *asked* one of our powers that be to leave the company for surfing porn at work. he thought he'd covered his tracks, but he had no clue about the hidden files(and probably still doesn't know how i got the files).

as for m$ reading our hotmail or msn accounts. that does not apply to only m$, it applies to anyone hosting YOUR mail. my advice, host your own mail server.