Naughty computer use
Discussion
Let my brother use my laptop far a while, and though he's done his best, he's missed deleting a few 'choice' files. I'd quite like to clear these plus anything else he might have left lurking on the hard drive - I've only found images so far and they are as bad/good as you can imagine, though not as far as I can tell, illegal.
Any clues as to how to go about this, not just deleting from Explorer. Last thing I want is to put the laptop in for a repair and get a phonecall to explain, or for the missus to stumble across them somehow.
Cheers
Any clues as to how to go about this, not just deleting from Explorer. Last thing I want is to put the laptop in for a repair and get a phonecall to explain, or for the missus to stumble across them somehow.
Cheers
In IE.
Tools, Internet Options, on the General Tab.
Clear History, Delete Files, Delete Cookies.
Do it twice.
As to anything else left lying around do a file search for "*.jpg" drag with "Start, Search, For Files Or Folders". Drag the lot to the recycle bin and empty it.
Usually people not computer savvy enough to delete their tracks are also not computer savvy enough to put the files they download anywhere too obscure.
There are programs that obliterate such files by overwriting the data in them with zeros prior to deleting them. Unless you have such a thing you won't be able to do that. Unless you truly concerned about not leaving forensic evidence I wouldn't worry - the Mrs won't find anything to upset her after you've deleted it I assure you.
Tools, Internet Options, on the General Tab.
Clear History, Delete Files, Delete Cookies.
Do it twice.
As to anything else left lying around do a file search for "*.jpg" drag with "Start, Search, For Files Or Folders". Drag the lot to the recycle bin and empty it.
Usually people not computer savvy enough to delete their tracks are also not computer savvy enough to put the files they download anywhere too obscure.
There are programs that obliterate such files by overwriting the data in them with zeros prior to deleting them. Unless you have such a thing you won't be able to do that. Unless you truly concerned about not leaving forensic evidence I wouldn't worry - the Mrs won't find anything to upset her after you've deleted it I assure you.
The cheap way of erasing these files that can be found if for some reason a forensic expert went over it is to delete then fill you harddrive up with as much useless crap as possible until it's full then delete it all, that should overwrite the old files that still lurk about until something else takes it's place, though it's no guarantee you'll get all of it. However that is probably rather unneccessary in this case unless you have the police knocking on the door.
Just delete the temporary internet files, and temp folders you find, wipe the cache, history, your address and google (and other) search bars (if you have them) might have history turned on as well, make sure you get those.
Do a search for whole hardrive(s) for pictures if XP, include hidden files.
Or else *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.gif *.bmp, I doubt those sort of pictures come in other formats than that usually, also do a check for video files, *.mpg, *.mpeg, *.mov, *.qt, *.rm, *.avi etc or just pick video in XP search.
They probably wont have obvious names, just stuff like 01.mpg and stuff along those lines (and yes I know this from experience
)
If you want a laugh you can create a fake email (with a mailing program) to your brother seemingly from the police saying that have tracked him down for downloading illegal stuff and are coming to get him, did this to some friends of mine a few years ago, worked brilliantly!
Just delete the temporary internet files, and temp folders you find, wipe the cache, history, your address and google (and other) search bars (if you have them) might have history turned on as well, make sure you get those.
Do a search for whole hardrive(s) for pictures if XP, include hidden files.
Or else *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.gif *.bmp, I doubt those sort of pictures come in other formats than that usually, also do a check for video files, *.mpg, *.mpeg, *.mov, *.qt, *.rm, *.avi etc or just pick video in XP search.
They probably wont have obvious names, just stuff like 01.mpg and stuff along those lines (and yes I know this from experience
) If you want a laugh you can create a fake email (with a mailing program) to your brother seemingly from the police saying that have tracked him down for downloading illegal stuff and are coming to get him, did this to some friends of mine a few years ago, worked brilliantly!
I read an interesting article about police forensics labs and what they can recover the other day. (IEEE rag? can't remember) Basically, even if you over write the data several times, then set fire to the hard drive, you're still screwed.
The techniques they use now are painfully slow - they were talking about 4 to 5 kb a DAY - but if they NEED to, they can recover the data.
I suspect that the only way to be sure would be to melt the platter down.
The techniques they use now are painfully slow - they were talking about 4 to 5 kb a DAY - but if they NEED to, they can recover the data.
I suspect that the only way to be sure would be to melt the platter down.
FunkyNige said:
I use CCleaner (it's a free download) to get rid of crap off my system.
I'll 2nd using c cleaner download it from here www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ & you will be amazed at amount of crap it clears.
H
r988 said:
If you want a laugh you can create a fake email (with a mailing program) to your brother seemingly from the police saying that have tracked him down for downloading illegal stuff and are coming to get him, did this to some friends of mine a few years ago, worked brilliantly!
Like the sound of this - might provide a giggle or two.
And thanks to the rest for the help - I'm not anticipating a knock and the need to accompany anyone anywhere but it's interesting to hear the lengths you can go to for clearing this.
kippax said:
I use CCleaner (it's a free download) to get rid of crap off my system.
I'll 2nd using c cleaner download it from here www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ & you will be amazed at amount of crap it clears.
H
5 minutes and job done
Lappy will run at amazing speed
pdV6 said:
Let my brother use my laptop far a while...
Of course you did!
Oi, cheeky! Missed this earlier...
Wouldn't care if it was the desktop - too old for repair and probably has all sorts of stuff lurking within its various folders and reformatted drives. But the laptop has a couple of years left in it, and that's all I want left in it.
Have downloaded CCleaner - might see an improvement generally by the sound of it. Ta.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff