Shredding files under XP and NTFS

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken Eng
  • Start date Start date
K

Ken Eng

Just a warning. If you have been using the Macafee
Shredder that comes with Macafee Internet Security 5.0 and
you are using NTFS - it doesn't work.

I had been using it under Windows 98/FAT fine but was
puzzled at the fast speed it shredded my Recycle Bin under
Windows XP /NTFS. The reason for the fast speed is that it
doesn't do anything. Nor does it shred your Temp internet
fies or history lists. I checked with two Macafee support
engineers in two countries and they confirmed that it
doesn't work with NTFS. The product guide, by the way,
clearly states that it does!

So, be careful, you may not be removing your sensitive
data as you expected.

Ken
 
Currently, no product can permanently shred files on NTFS. NTFS does not
expose the file offset of the logical disk to allow this.
 
You would have to use a disk format tool outside of the Windows operating
system to format the entire disk.

--


David B. Cross [MS]

--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

http://support.microsoft.com

Ken Eng said:
I hadn't realised this (neither had the docn writers).

So what do people do to destroy their files?

Ken
-----Original Message-----
Currently, no product can permanently shred files on NTFS. NTFS does not
expose the file offset of the logical disk to allow this.

--


David B. Cross [MS]

--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

http://support.microsoft.com

Ken Eng said:
Just a warning. If you have been using the Macafee
Shredder that comes with Macafee Internet Security 5.0 and
you are using NTFS - it doesn't work.

I had been using it under Windows 98/FAT fine but was
puzzled at the fast speed it shredded my Recycle Bin under
Windows XP /NTFS. The reason for the fast speed is that it
doesn't do anything. Nor does it shred your Temp internet
fies or history lists. I checked with two Macafee support
engineers in two countries and they confirmed that it
doesn't work with NTFS. The product guide, by the way,
clearly states that it does!

So, be careful, you may not be removing your sensitive
data as you expected.

Ken
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