Hey computer techs, could you read deleted emails off my computer?

Question

I'm wondering, can someone who knows computers easily go back and read old emails after i delete them from the trash?
How can that be done and how hard is it?

Answer 1

It's possible, and there are some programs that would allow you to do this if someone wanted to. One such is Norton Utilities, which is part of Norton System Works. It allows you to explore a disk bit by bit. Still, it might take a while.
It's possible to get an erase function that works better than the way Microsoft does. These programs when erasing a file, overwrite the data in that file, making it impossible, even for government experts to retrieve the erased data. Microsoft simply changes the first character of the file to one that means basically, that the space is empty. The data, all except the first character of the filename remains. Who knows.... maybe they're doing this to aid the government. It's certainly not a secure erase.

I haven't looked for the erase programs in a few years, , and there were some free utilities. Still, below is a link to a company that offers a product for about $30.00 that permanently erases files.

Answer 2

Two things to check: (1) Check your email account settings. It may be set to retrieve your emails, but still leave them on the server. Then the person just has to fire up another email program with your profile in it and read them. (2) Check your temporary files and internet cache locations for extra files Things to try to do: (a) Use a webmail based email reader - sign up for Yahoo email or Hotmail email and register your POP email account with that - this way all of your emails are only being done through the internet and never reach your computer except as web pages. Clear out your web page cache when you are done, and that should do most of it. (b) Get a file shredder software that shreds files as it deletes them. (c) Use Thunderbird email client software and Firefox web browser - they are less prone to hijacked interceptions (d) Download and run XOFTSPY and ADAWARE on your computer. This might find any hijackers installed on your sytem. (e) Look into getting a Live CD boot setup and a pendrive to store you information - when you want to surf the net, put in the CD and pen drive and then boot the computer. Have it boot from the CD. Now you are running your private software off the CD, and your info is stored on the pen drive. When done, shut off computer and remove both and then reboot the system. Now all they can tell is the system was rebooted, but they wont have any trace of anything you did because it is all on your pen drive.

Answer 3

normely if you delete an email it stays in the deleted items file for a small period some email providers keep it for 1 day some others 3 days some others permanently till getting deleted again so look weather you are lucky or not :)

Answer 4

It depends, if you deleted it from the trash on either Outlook OR Yahoo, it is gone forever. However, if it is just IN the trash, or you have a backup of it, it can be restored.

NOTE: Yahoo Mail Beta does not currently empty your trash everyday. Unlimited e-mail room!!!!

Answer 5

nothing is ever truly deleted. but it would be pretty hard to find a deleted e-mail unless you had the right type of technology

Answer 6

Not easily. It would require a computer forensics... and unless you're involved in some big crimes, it's not going to happen.

Answer 7

That firstly would depend on whether you used web based or home based e mail! If you use outlook for instance, yes it could! If its web based such as yahoo mail it cant be found.

Answer 8

all you really need is a simple program like ncase its fairly easy if someone's determined enough

Answer 9

It can be done but not easily.