A question for my more tech-inclined friends...

[kellifer]

What's the best way to permanently delete the stuff off your computer? Is it one of the scramble programs that you can purchase and if so, has anyone had any good stuff from any of them available?

The one I've find is a freeware file 'shredder' - here.

Basically, while I would figure my work laptop will be just re-imaged and deployed or stuck in a cupboard never to see the light of day again, I can't *really* assume that's going to happen. Basically, I know someone with at least a little IT savvy can retrieve deleted files and I really want any writing I did on this computer (fannish and otherwise) completely gone. Not because it's naughty per se (I didn't really *do* that on this computer just for the sole reason that it really wasn't mine forever and ever) but I just... *makes helpless hands*

I just want to make sure, y'know?

Comments

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

Can either of those delete the "free" space to get rid of anything you've deleted in the past? That was a feature I thought was cool of the file shredder one...

[dhark-charlotte.livejournal.com]

A quick search brought up some interesting opinions. Some didn't think software could truly erase all data.

Would it cause a problem to overwrite and then reformat the drive before you turn it back in?

I'm far from expert, but if you found a prog that claims to do what you're wanting, I can only suggest doing a search on it first before installing.

Hopefully someone a bit more savvy will reply ;)

[kellifer-fic.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't necessarily need it gone so well that a forensic expert couldn't retrieve it - just enough that someone poking around wouldn't be bothered and would just reimage the thing.

As I said, nothing truly dodgy but you never know...