Removing Internet Files from Laptop with XP Pro

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Guest

I am about to leave a company. I will need to return their laptop, I would
like to scrub all traces of my internet searches.

I have admin access on this laptop but do not know how to make sure all
traces of my searches have been removed and can not be retrieved.

Can anyone assist?
 
Truck said:
I am about to leave a company. I will need to return their laptop, I would
like to scrub all traces of my internet searches.

I have admin access on this laptop but do not know how to make sure all
traces of my searches have been removed and can not be retrieved.

Can anyone assist?
Click to expand...


To protect your personal web browsing habits, information and data
from any future users of average skills, you should, at the very least,
format the hard drive and reinstall only the OS and those applications
whose licenses are to be included in the transfer. If you wish to do a
more thorough job of protecting your personal data, WipeDrive 2.2.1
(http://www.accessdata.com/Product07_Overview.htm?ProductNum=07) meets
U.S. DoD standards for securely cleaning surplus unclassified hard
drives, and could be used before formatting and reinstalling the OS and
applications.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Try going to internet options,settings,delete files,delete cookies,then go to
programs tab,reset web settings,close out.Go to run,type:%Temp% In the new
window,edit,select all,then delete all,close out,empty recycle
bin.Next,even though
this takes more time for xp to shutdown,all IE tracks get deleted,go to
run,type:
regedit,in regedit,expand:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\
sessionmanager\memorymanagement L.click on,clearpagefileatshutdown Go to
edit,modify,set to 1 from 0,then close out regedit.
 
Truck Guy said:
I am about to leave a company. I will need to return their laptop, I
would like to scrub all traces of my internet searches.

I have admin access on this laptop but do not know how to make sure
all traces of my searches have been removed and can not be retrieved.

Can anyone assist?
Click to expand...

Tools | Internet Options | Content | AutoComplete | Clear Forms

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
 
Truck Guy said:
I am about to leave a company. I will need to return their laptop, I would
like to scrub all traces of my internet searches.

I have admin access on this laptop but do not know how to make sure all
traces of my searches have been removed and can not be retrieved.

Can anyone assist?
Click to expand...

Format the drives, all traces of files will be removed.
 
Truck Guy said:
I am about to leave a company. I will need to return their laptop, I would
like to scrub all traces of my internet searches.

I have admin access on this laptop but do not know how to make sure all
traces of my searches have been removed and can not be retrieved.

Can anyone assist?
Click to expand...
You should do multiple formats, then reinstall original software. You can
also use a HD scrubber which writes 0/1 's alternately to wipe anything out
that was there.
 
Andrew said:
Try going to internet options,settings,delete files,delete cookies,then go to
programs tab,reset web settings,close out.Go to run,type:%Temp% In the new
window,edit,select all,then delete all,close out,empty recycle
bin.Next,even though
this takes more time for xp to shutdown,all IE tracks get deleted,go to
run,type:
regedit,in regedit,expand:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\
sessionmanager\memorymanagement L.click on,clearpagefileatshutdown Go to
edit,modify,set to 1 from 0,then close out regedit.
Click to expand...


You neglected to mention that the OP must first unhide protected
operating files. You really don't ever intend to truly help people, do you?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Truck said:
Bruce or anyone,

Will wiping drive 2.2.1 remove the internet files as well?
Click to expand...

Yes, to all but the most advanced forensic utilities, such as used by
the NSA. WipeDrive overwrites the entire hard drive with alternating
zeros and ones (all zeros on one pass, and then all ones on the next
pass) for as many times as you choose.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Alan said:
Format the drives, all traces of files will be removed.
Click to expand...


Only if the next person to handle the hard drive lacks above average
ability.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
What it all boils down to is that if someone really, really wants to get
deleted and scrubbed information off your laptop - they can, one way or
another. They just may have to pay someone a lot to accomplish it. The only
sure way to is to smash a drive with a hammer, followed by a heavy use of a
blow torch. I guess you could also just cut the drive in half with an
acetylene torch, and lose the hammer. (-:

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
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