I mean so deleted they can't do CSI stuff to it. I already use a windows washer with bleach(all pc terms) Is there any program I can dowload or should I just live a magnet on it for a day???? (does that really work)
2007-01-04 15:34:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
I have nothing to hide, just don't want anybody else getting my stuff...
2007-01-04 15:37:44 · update #1
The only thing you can do to ensure that not even the FBI can get into your files is by just setting your hard drive on fire....
2007-01-04 15:36:50 · answer #1 · answered by mailjunkie123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disregard everything the previous geniuses have told you, they are misleading at best to completely wrong. Except dmsous had any idea what he/she was talking about. Unless you completely destroy the drive, it is impossible to completely remove all traces of your data. Even after it has been written over 5 or 6 times, if you have the right equipment, you can still recover the data, which is why the feds melt down discarded drives that contain classified info. However, if you don't have any data that some well funded agency would spend a great deal of time and effort to recover, you can get close enough to impossible so you don't have to worry. The tool I use is called sdelete, and you can download a free copy from:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/SDelete.mspx
There is also a good explanation of what is involved in obliterating your data, and should answer any more questions you might have.
2007-01-09 04:29:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you delete a file, the data doesnt get deleted, only the address of the data gets 'washed'. Data without an address cannot be reached (found). But this data can be recovered from 'invisible addresses' by special softwares. In order to permanently delete the data, u can either use one of the shredding softwares or just normally delete the data and use all vant space with new files.
The 'unaddressed' data will be replaced hence no one else can recover it. :)
2007-01-05 02:11:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take out the hard drive and hide it in your attic or under the floor. Truly, a professional can almost always get to your erased files unless you put more data files on top after you erased.
2007-01-04 23:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Marissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While your PC is working, lock it with a password when you are finished for the day.
Don't leave it where others can access it.
Before you sell or dump it, physically destroy the hard drive. Anyone else can buy a new one - they don't cost that much.
2007-01-04 23:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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download/get a file shredder (from a good company) a file shredder writes over the file so that it cannot be recovered.
set the shredder to write over the file(s) around 40 times (im not being sarcastic) and you should be safe
a formatted hard drive can be recovered
2007-01-04 23:46:52 · answer #6 · answered by dmsous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
format the C: drive
2007-01-05 05:52:25 · answer #7 · answered by Disciple of Cthulhu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋