Help Destroying computer history?

[old.Tohtori]

I'm updating my work-horse to a new one. Snirf, my trusted steed will be working the farm now.

Anyway, i don't want those pervy tech guys poking around my browsing(or other) history, so need to clean out my user data.

Been on firefox and thunderbird, also MSN and skype(go figure, work requirement ).

Need to remove all existence of my presence at this computer(excludng a hidden text file).

Tips tricks and thanks.

 

[Thorwyn]

Try Free / MyPlanetSoft Windows Wiper - Free Secure Deletion Software, Destructive Deletion Tools, Disk and File Wipe Utilities - MyPlanet Software - MyPlanetSoft.com

 

[fettoken]

A rusty nail straight through the HDD usually works.

 

[soze]

CCleaner - Home

If you are that worried though the only 100% safe way would be wiping the disk to a MOD Level then reinstall a new copy of Windows.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-file-cleaner.htm Has some other options

 

[old.Tohtori]

Heh that Ccleaner "100% Spyware FREE
This software does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses." isn't really a good PR stunt as it only makes you think there is

Thanks for the replies, have to try one or other.

I'm not really that worried, but i do like to be thorough.

 

[Raven]

None of them will work if someone really wants to see what you have had on your HD.

The only option is to remove the plates from the HD and shatter them.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Luckily these guys ain't that expert crackers, and they wouldn't put the effort, so a light cleanup should be fine.

It's not like i browse porn and post on BNP sites at work

 

[Ingafgrinn Macabre]

None of them will work if someone really wants to see what you have had on your HD.

The only option is to remove the plates from the HD and shatter them.

I presume you're thinking about the electron microscope surface scan for residual magnetic polarity? That may have been the case ages ago in the first harddrives, but nowadays a single wipe (wipe, not a format) will do just fine. Format only removes the header. A wipe actually swaps the bits to a random pattern.
If you're paranoid, wipe twice. It's not like you actually have to be there while it wipes, so it doesn't really cost you much, apart from a few hours of computer electricity usage.


Toht:
Do you want to keep the current install? Or is a reinstallation of the system a valid option? If so, I'd go for the format / wipe / reinstall dance.
If not, what OS is the system using?

 

[Vasconcelos]

Anyways, all the info about the sites you visited and outgoing data, will be stored in the server historial so not like it makes any difference to even burn your hdd.

If they want to audit you, they will first go check the server data

Unless you are referring to a computer they lend you to use at home and you didnt conected it at your workplace

 

[soze]

If you did decide to wipe and rebuild this About DBAN | Darik's Boot And Nuke is handy it lets you decide if you want one write and wipe or up to military standards with 6 passes.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Toht:
Do you want to keep the current install? Or is a reinstallation of the system a valid option? If so, I'd go for the format / wipe / reinstall dance.
If not, what OS is the system using?

Just wipe the user data really, so no re-install.

XP.

 

[Ingafgrinn Macabre]

Just wipe the user data really, so no re-install.

XP.

Then, some more questions.
Is this system in a network, and if so, can you log in with your own name/pass on a random other computer in that network?

While logged in on that other random computer, can you see your "My Documents"?

 

[old.Tohtori]

Then, some more questions.
Is this system in a network, and if so, can you log in with your own name/pass on a random other computer in that network?

While logged in on that other random computer, can you see your "My Documents"?

I've had the network disabled for a good while, no real use for it. But can't relaly check what you ask.

 

[Ingafgrinn Macabre]

Well, if your system is a domain client on an AD server, you're pretty much screwed, because your "My Docs" and stuff will most likely be copied to the server on shutdown, and during the night be backed up on tapes or whatever backup system they're using over there.

Otherwise, just use CCleaner or something similar. It's the easiest route. Could tell you how to clean it manually, but don't have an xp install here to systematically check, so from the top of my head I would definitely miss a few items. Most stuff is located in

"\Documents and settings\<..>\Application Data"
"\Documents and settings\<..>\Local Settings"
"\Documents and settings\<..>\Temporary Internet Files"
"\Documents and settings\<..>\Temp"

In both your own profile as the common profiles Don't forget to dig deep in the appdata an local settings.

 

[soze]

You can find out if you are using a roaming profile but going into dos and typing cd %userprofile% if its local your golden.

 

[old.Tohtori]

You can find out if you are using a roaming profile but going into dos and typing cd %userprofile% if its local your golden.

It's actually administrator.

 

[TdC]

thermite. it's the only way.

 

[old.Tohtori]

thermite. it's the only way.

thanks for the help, but we're not discussing STDs here

 

[soze]

If its just C:\Docs and Setting\Administrator with no .domain you are logging on as the local Admin so no server side profile

 

[TdC]

thanks for the help, but we're not discussing STDs here

but I am helping!


How-to: Thermite hard drive destruction - Hack a Day