Computer questions

dhud64

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
344
1)Is there a way to remove all previously stored passwords, address, credit card numbers etc from the computer?<br />2) Is there a way to remove just part of the above mentioned, rather than all of it?<br /><br />Thanks,
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: Computer questions

it depends where they were stored. of course, you want to erase any files they were written to, and empty the recycling bin. if you're talking the internet, i would erase all cookies and temp internet files. to a trained professional, the info may still be out there. if you're really concerned, i think you need to wipe the hard drive to be sure. burning it would probably work as well...
 

dhud64

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
344
Re: Computer questions

Ah, think I just found it, >Tools, >Internet options, > Content, >Auto complete, >Clear forms, >clear passwords.<br />Also deleted cookies and temp internet files. Hope that's all!
 

11 footer

Lieutenant
Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
1,408
Re: Computer questions

I burned my last computer, they don't have nothing on me now :D <br /><br />Only reason I did it was because it was old and wortheless, I don't think I would have done it if the computer was still good.
 

Homerr

Commander
Joined
Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Computer questions

Dhud...<br /><br />Simply deleting those files does NOT get rid of them. They are still on your hard drive and intact. The trained individual or determined hacker can still get to it if you are not fire-walled, or someone has physical access to your computer.<br /><br />Find a program called "ENCASE"... <br />It's software that law enforcement use (or did use) that recovers that deleted information.<br />Encase can scan sector by sector of your hard drive and find deleted files. Once found, you can view them and delete them for good.<br /><br />It takes a bit to learn the program, but if you're worried about your computer being compromised, you might want to give it a shot.<br /><br />I learned about it from a web site that deals with being totally anonymous on the internet.<br />I was amazed how much stuff was still left on my hardrive AFTER I deleted it and used other so-called "cleaner" programs.<br /><br />There may be other types of 'cop' software like Encase. Search the net.<br /><br />You could also re-format your drive. That will get rid of the information too, but it will obviously wipe out everything else.<br /><br />Windows is notorious for leaving stuff all over and never really gets rid of stuff.<br />For most of us, cleaning the cache, recycle bin, and temp files is usually sufficient.<br />There's lots of information on the net about this issue, just do a Google search.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />H.
 

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Computer questions

This site has a lot of good reading....This link has been out there for awhile , but is a good starting point.....<br /><br />I can't post the link, iboats filtering won't allow it, but, do a Google search for:<br />"microsoft's really hidden files". The link is the first one returned....
 

Xcusme

Commander
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,888
Re: Computer questions

;) Thanks SBN, I figured that page would be mirrored somewhere with a less risqué URL.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Computer questions

Moving to Non-Boating Tech.
 
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