DELETE files FOREVER?

8

8-Ball

Guest
Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK AGAIN-

I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days later...I

also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it was

really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as well

as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

Microsoft Vista<<

 
B

Bob F.

Guest
Your experience has been written about in the media for the last couple of

decades, at least. If you Google on "Deleting files", you will find all

kinds of articles about the subject. This is not a Vista unique situation.

There is one item that you write about that is ambiguous. Are you saying

that the deleted file came back all by itself after you deleted it from the

recycle bin, or did you use the 3rd party software to get it back? If it's

the later, then that's very possible and not unusual.

--

Regards, BobF.

"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

> Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

> holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

> Microsoft Vista<< </span>

 
D

Dave

Guest
You new to computers? It's always worked like this.

There are programs that overwrite the deleted files...

Google "Vista file wipe"

--

Vista Home Premium 32 SP1

http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

> Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

> holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

> Microsoft Vista<< </span>

 
B

Bob

Guest
Free File Shredder

http://www.fileshredder.org/

-------

Report back, please

[When responding to posts, please include the post(s) you are replying to so

that others may learn and benefit from the issue]

[How to ask a question]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

> Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

> holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

> Microsoft Vista<< </span>

 
F

f/fgeorge

Guest
On Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:19:01 -0700, 8-Ball

<8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

<span style="color:blue">

>Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

>When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK AGAIN-

>I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days later...I

>also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

>brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it was

>really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as well

>as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

>sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

>believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

>Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

>holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

>Microsoft Vista<<</span>

There ARE true file deleters but Windows has ALWAYS done it the way

you are seeing it happen! What happens when you delete a file, in

Windows, is it's space on the hard drive is marked as available to the

computer to write something else to. It does not actually remove the

data, just makes that sapce available for something new. When the new

data is written over the top of the old data, then and only then is

your old data truly gone. Or is soooo expensive to try and recover as

to make it gone for most of us. There are disk wipers that will wipe

the whole disk drive and as stated in the other messages there are

true file wipers, but be VERY careful when using them. You push the

wrong buttons and lots more than you wish can be GONE!!! At my work we

also have tons of personal data such as you do and that is why we

ALWAYS wipe every drive before it leaves our hands when the machine is

being replaced.

At home I use DBAN, Darik's Boot And Nuke, but it is a total drive

wiper not a file wiper. I do NOT have any personal data like you have

at my home!!!

 
J

John Barnett MVP

Guest
Deleting files has always been this way. All that actually happens is that,

when a file is deleted, the area that the file occupied is marked as

'available' so that another file can use the space. The file is still there

until it gets over-written by another file. This is a good permanent file

eraser which I have used many times: http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ It is also

free.

--

--

John Barnett MVP

Associate Expert

Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any

kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,

reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for

any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the

use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this

mail/post..

"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

> Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

> holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

> Microsoft Vista<< </span>

 
C

C.B.

Guest
"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.

>

> Why is it still on there and how do I delete it FOREVER? (Without drilling

> holes in my HD) >>I'm packing a Dell XPS 1530 running a home edition of

> Microsoft Vista<<</span>

8-Ball,

How long have you been using computers and how much knowledge do you

possess concerning operating systems?

When you delete a file on an operating system you are only deleting the

operating system's memory of the existence and/or location of the file.

Nothing more, nothing less. Unless the file has been overwritten or shredded

properly it will always exist.

Another misconception is that reformatting the drive will permanently

delete any existence of the file. If you don't reformat the drive using

numerous overwrites consisting of various methods the possibility exists

that the files can be recovered.

C.B.

--

It is the responsibility and duty of everyone to help the underprivileged

and unfortunate among us.

 
A

Alun Jones

Guest
"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever. -THINK

> AGAIN-

> I deleted somthing from the recycle bin and got it back a few days

> later...I

> also found a ton so stuff I was told was "deleted" forever by Windows. I

> brought it back (using some uber-simple free program) just to see it it

> was

> really there (not just a file name) I was able to open it and read it as

> well

> as continue to edit it... This is PROBLEMATIC; some of these files contain

> sensitive data such as SSNs', medical info, and other stuff that I had

> believed to be "deleted" and wasn't.</span>

Here's the deal, followed by a few suggestions that don't involve using

external tools:

Windows guarantees to protect erased data from being accessed by other

normal Windows processes - i.e. those processes that don't have privilege to

read and write raw data from selected random sectors of your hard drive.

There are two ways to do this - you can either zero-on-open, or

zero-on-close. Zero-on-open means that when a file access requires assigning

a disk cluster to a file that didn't own that cluster before, it will zero

out the data at that time. Zero-on-close means that when a file relinquishes

its assignment of a disk cluster, it is zeroed at that time.

Zero-on-close is time-intensive. You can't delete a file without filling its

contents with zeroes. You can't even guarantee that this will happen,

because someone may turn off the computer half-way through a delete

operation.

Zero-on-open is much less time-intensive, because by the time you actually

need to zero clusters on the disk, the zeroing operation may be unnecessary

anyway, because the application opening the file usually has data to put in

that cluster.

Zero-on-open has the problem that deleted files leave their contents in

place on the disk until such time as those clusters are allocated to a new

purpose.

File shredders generally only 'shred', or write repeatedly over, the

clusters that the file occupies _now_, and as such they give a false

impression of security.

The file whose contents you're trying to destroy will generally have been

copied to a number of different locations:

temporary folders (open a Word document, it creates a temporary copy, for

instance - most applications will create temporary copies of your files

while working on them)

pagefile and hibernation files - if your file's contents are loaded into

memory, unless they are marked specifically to only be loaded into physical

memory without going through an intermediate cache, they will at some point

be swapped out to the pagefile. After some time, they will be wiped over by

other memory contents, but this can be a concern; if you hibernate your

computer, the hibernation file contains a copy of all the contents of your

memory, including files.

slack space - if you ever defragment your drive (and by default, Vista

defragments drives when you're not looking), your files are moved around to

different clusters on disk. The old clusters they used to occupy are not

wiped over.

backup store - volume shadow copy services retain copies of older versions

of files.

search index - some contents may be locatable in a search index.

So, to delete files so that no evidence of their contents remains on disk,

here's what you have to do:

1. Delete the file.

2. Delete all temporary files and folders (you have to know your

applications in order to determine where and how these temporary files are

stored)

3. Disable hibernation and either disable or encrypt the pagefile

4. Disable volume shadow copy service

5. Disable any desktop search utilities

6. Wipe the slack space using the command "cipher /w"

Better still is to never have the data on the hard-drive in the first place.

How do you do that?

You encrypt the whole drive - and when you want to lose the data on that

drive, you format and reinstall Windows. Or you can follow steps 1-5, and

then decrypt and re-encrypt the drive. The free space may contain your

protected data, but it's encrypted with a key that you have wiped by virtue

of decrypting and re-encrypting. Sadly there isn't a single-step process to

re-encrypt an encrypted drive with a new key, an operation you might want to

do if you fear exposure of the old volume encryption key, or if you want to

unambiguously wipe old data so that it cannot be recovered.

Alun.

~~~~

 
F

FromTheRafters

Guest
"8-Ball" <8Ball@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5B1F820F-197E-4AC7-8566-21D88AB0CC07@microsoft.com...<span style="color:blue">

> Ok, so when I delete something it goes to the recycle bin.</span>

Not really. There is a path to that file that the filesystem uses to locate

the

file's data on disk, you have changed that path - the data hasn't moved.

<span style="color:blue">

> When I delete something from the recycle bin it is gone forever.</span>

I think the 'filename' part of the path is prepended with a special

character so

that the filesystem will ignore it. This removes protection to allow that

data

to be overwritten if need be by the system. Data can't really be 'deleted'

in the ordinary sense - it needs to be overwritten (or obliterated - get out

the drill) to be really gone.

....and then there's microscopic analysis requiring you to use even more

extreme measures like half-tracking and multiple passes of random(ish)

overwrites to thwart those efforts.

Make the recoverable files useless to anyone who goes through the effort

to recover them - encrypt! Some versions of Vista already have this as a

feature.

 
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