internet erasers

[rolex]

Are they any good? Confidential info like online bank details and iffy sites one may visit. Do they effectively erase stuff beyond recovery?

[FourWheelDrift]

Not entirely sure of internet erasers as you can always retrieve information from somewhere but I've been told (although I don't use it myself, yet) that using the in-built on screen keyboard of Win2000/XP (accessories/accessability/on screen keyboard) is a good security tool to use when inputting passcodes as it isn't linked to a keystroke recording.If you're thinking of online banking security.

Any views on this from those in the know?

>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 2nd January 23:24

[CommanderJameson]

If you use Firefox and remember to periodically scrub %TEMP%, you'll be fine.

As of version 1.5, FF has a nifty "delete private data" facility.

Microsoft AntiSpyWare has a "Tracks Eraser" thing, and tools like SpyBot and Ad-Aware can clean up the pointless tracking cookies that various web sites seem to deposit.

Personally, I think these "internet eraser" products get most of their sales from technical illiterates who've just realised that the missus might not approve of donkey pr0n links in the web history and then panic-buy.

Don't waste your dosh, is my advice.

[slapmatt]

rolex said:

Do they effectively erase stuff beyond recovery?

Erase from whom? The wife/gf, the police, MI5?

Remember, all the dodgy sites you visit/stuff you dl will be logged with your ISP, that's how the record industry sue filesharers. Also, individual Web sites will log your visits - but this is less of a worry.

If you want to superficially clean your PC after a dodgy session online then eraser software will be good enough, but if you maintaining an international terrorist Web site then you might want something stronger to cover your tracks.

[aranell]

rolex said:

Are they any good? Confidential info like online bank details and iffy sites one may visit. Do they effectively erase stuff beyond recovery?

Define "beyond recovery".
If you are talking about a casual user, then there are many programs out there which can delete the files pretty effectively. However, you will always leave traces on your hard drive. Even formatting does not guarantee that your data will be erased. The only way to ensure your data is complete irretrievable is to melt your HDD and then stick the cooled metal through a shredder. I'm assuming you aren't talking quite this serisouly though

Completely OT....Some of the techniques that are used to restore data are pretty cool....I've seen one where they look at the tracks on the HDD itself. Apparently, most HDDs are like trees and the tracks will vary slightly, meaning that clues can be picked up from each "ring" and the data can be reconstructed that way.

[dilbert]

Good old fashioned fire. The best internet eraser by far.

It just goes to show how smart neanderthal man was.

[deckster]

Pah. Everyone knows you can't erase the internet. Besides, I've got it backed up on floppy somewhere.