A method of operating software configured for Internet access on a remote computer includes opening a virtual machine on a remote computer from a user computer and sending user preferences from the user computer to the virtual machine. The method includes sending a request to operate the software configured for Internet access, and receiving user preferences from the virtual machine upon shutdown. A method of operating software configured for Internet access remote from a user computer includes opening a virtual machine on a remote computer and receiving user preferences at the virtual machine from the user computer. The method further includes receiving a request from the user computer at the remote computer and requesting at least one web page from the virtual machine and receiving a close command at the virtual machine from the user computer and sending the user preferences to the user computer in response to the shutdown.