What tool do you recommend for deleting cookies and history

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by adryann, Feb 18, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. adryann

    adryann Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2007
    Posts:
    1
    I need to take my computer to a computer repair shop for an upgrade, and I want to erase all sensitive information on it, such as cookies, internet history, some office documents, and other things. I created a few CDs with the documents that I need ( inluding my personal photos and emails ) and now I want to erase the other files without formating the drive
    Anyone can please recommend a good tool that erases them without the chance of being recouvered? I don't any young student playing around the machine and undelete files and photots ( you know, some of them are very private and personal ).
     
  2. tansu

    tansu Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Posts:
    210
    Eraser, small, free and open...
     
  3. ejr

    ejr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2005
    Posts:
    538
    CCleaner is also free and delets all that stuff. Under "options" and then "setting" you can set it to delete securely to either DOD or NSA standards.

    However, if you install this program, choose to not let it install the yahoo toolbar. It does this by default unless you tell it not to.
     
  4. TairikuOkami

    TairikuOkami Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2005
    Posts:
    3,438
    Location:
    Slovakia
  5. ejr

    ejr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2005
    Posts:
    538
    What is the last version without the bundled toolbar?
     
  6. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Posts:
    2,098
    Location:
    USA
    The latest build is always available without the toolbar if you want it that way. The link that TheTOM_SK listed shows the full build with the toolbar and 2 builds without it. The slim build is the smallest build of all because it only has the English language translation.
     
  7. ejr

    ejr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2005
    Posts:
    538
    Questions:

    1. If you have the full build, but download the slim build, must you uninstall the full build and install the slim build.

    2. If you have the slim build, then allow CCleaner to automatically check for updates, will it update with the slim build?
     
  8. SafetyFirst

    SafetyFirst Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Posts:
    462
    For erasing pictures, videos and similar stuff I think Eraser is the best (Gutmann 35 overwrites). For internet tracks you can install several free cleaners (CCleaner, CleanCache etc.) and use them all, one after another (enable secure deletion in options). I don't know if some commercial cleaners (payware) offer trial period - if so you can use also some of these. When the work is done run MRU Blaster.
     
  9. Hipgnosis

    Hipgnosis Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2003
    Posts:
    297
    Location:
    Witness Protection Program
    CCleaner and Eraser
     
  10. EASTER.2010

    EASTER.2010 Guest

    Like he said. LoL
     
  11. Huwge

    Huwge Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    Posts:
    424
    Location:
    UK
    I use Ace Utilities
     
  12. SafetyFirst

    SafetyFirst Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Posts:
    462
    I would like to hear an expert's opinion on CleanCache. How effective is it and what makes CCleaner your favourite cleaner?
     
  13. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Posts:
    2,459
    Location:
    North central Ohio, U.S.A.
    Cleanup:D Has user adjustable custom cleaning settings. You can specify folders, reg. entries, cookies, and temp. files other then the fairly decent default settings. Still runs on Win 95 and up as well.
     
  14. EASTER.2010

    EASTER.2010 Guest

    Windows is more than just an internet communications computer, it is a fully featured COPY MACHINE! :cool:

    I tested this scenario and method recently; I used Restoration below to completely delete so-called deleted files and also delete the file's description such as it was a .bmp, .txt, .htm, and all that.
    One of it's claims is it can recover undeletes but i read more returns where it's not that great at undeleting.

    RESTORATION

    With the above completed i then turned to this freeware:

    UNDELETE PLUS

    It's a standalone that's pretty decent at finding deleted files, "PLUS" indicates their condition if their restorable or not.

    I have successfully and easily restored previously deleted files of all sorts with it, and ON THE SAME DISK as in desktop to prove it's claim.

    Side Note: You can find a better link than the one for Undelete Plus i'm sure, mine is version 2.5.2.00 @ 656KB and i don't have the ready-link where i d/l'd from. Thnx
     
  15. HAN

    HAN Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Posts:
    2,098
    Location:
    USA
    I don't definitively know the answers but for me,
    1), Yes, I would uninstall the full before transitioning to the Slim (make sure to note any special settings you have been using that you want to retain.) But it is certainly possible that the Slim build may overwrite all of the files and you would not need to bother with the uninstallation step.

    And 2), I'm fairly certain you would always get the Standard version if you allow CCleaner to auto update. (The Slim build is NOT actively promoted. The notice on the page more or less says so. "The following builds are for system admins and advanced users. They are not for distribution or mirroring.")
     
  16. true north

    true north Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    Posts:
    159
    Hi there,

    Try this tool: www.r-wipe.com/

    it has a free 15 days trial and cleaned really deep your online and off line activities. After cleaning is erased/wiped immediately securely (overwrite 1,3,7 or 34 times) what it deleted. Works very well.
    You call also delete / eraser with an extra feature securely
    files and folders.
    After all that cleaning / wiping / erasing reboot your computer and run the tool: clean free disc space
    Then you should be fine.

    true north
     
  17. MICRO

    MICRO Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Posts:
    1,020
    IF, you happen to have Search & Destroy on your machine already then why not try it's shredder, it's under tools over on the left, second item down.

    Just change the number to how many times you want it to run through whatever, and hit, 'Chop it away'.
     
  18. sweater

    sweater Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,678
    Location:
    Philippines, the Political Dynasty Capital of the
    I use CleanCache v3, EasyCleaner v2, ATF Cleaner and PC Tools Privacy Guardian v4.1....;)
     
  19. rookieman

    rookieman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Posts:
    411
    What is the difference between the slim build of CCleaner and the regular build?How can i tell what build i have?:(
     
  20. spy1

    spy1 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2002
    Posts:
    3,139
    Location:
    Clover, SC
    rookieman - Have you installed any version of CCleaner yet? Or have you just d/l'ed one of them to your Desktop without installing it?

    The link you were given above ( http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds.aspx ) shows the last one - the "slim" build - to be only 450KB. That's the one you want to install, presumably.

    Below is the MD5 info for the slim build that I just d/l'ed from that site:

    Karen's Hasher v2.2.1
    http://www.karenware.com

    Date: 4/17/2007 12:33:41 AM
    Computer: FREEDOMCENTRAL
    User: spy1

    Step 1: Select Individual Files to be Hashed: 1 files

    File Name MD5 Hash
    C:\Documents and Settings\spy1\Desktop\ccsetup138_slim.exe F27B2956D7CC88114756EACCFA70F156

    So - if you have already installed a version of CCleaner, and you're not sure which one it was, simply go to Add/Remove Programs and un-install it.

    Then go back that link and d/l and install the one you actually want. Pete
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.