try http://www.securemac.com/eraser.php, or http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Security/Permanent-Eraser.shtml.  Just go to google and search for "MAC file eraser", there are quite a few.

Ladies, for added security you should consider PGP tray.  The program will allow you to reserve a portion of your hard drive which can only be accessed with a user generated key.  This key can be several pages long or a specific document such as the US Constitution.  The key can be a combination of both text and graphics.  The key can be stored on a USB memory card.  Without the key, no one will be able to access the information on this section of the hard drive with out actually using an eletron microscope to read the tracks on the drive.  This is a very costly and lengthy process.  The only kicker is the key must be secured and unavailable to other parties.

In addition, it would be helpful to use a program like x-cleaner from x-block.com to clear your internet and temporary memory caches.  The program deletes all temporary files during start up and scans for spy and malware.  If files are moved to your trash bin or deleted, the program will completely remove these files from the hard drive, but the scan has to done manually or the system needs to be restarted.  

I use both programs for my business laptops to secure any confidential information.  No problems were encountered during my use.  The only problem is the free download versions of the software do not offer full protection.  A subscription to the software provides complete protection.

I can't answer that one because I'm a Linux user, I hate (I know that's a strong word) Microsoft and stay away from it because of problem like you're describing.  It looks like Sedona below loaded it and didn't have a problem, why don't you contact her .  Also Dingus seems to think it's okay.

PA Sorry for any spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.

I asked specifically if there was a warrant. My understanding from certain people is that there was no arrest warrant for her, and there was no search warrant for her apartment.

She just let them in willingly and allowed them to take her computer and her telephone among other things.

LADIES, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

First of all, I don't believe they had a warrant, and I have not heard that allegation from anyone who said it less than third-hand.  A mere "suspicious activity" call from a neighbor will not usually be enough to get one, and I seriously doubt that any local agency has the resources to stake out one provider's incall, only to then release her without charges being filed.  The assumption that there was a warrant came from the fact that they threatened to break open the door if she didn't open it.  This calls for a little seminar:

A call from a neighbor gives the police "reasonable suspicion".  With that, they have the right to knock and ask you to open the door.  Depending on what they've been told, if you won't open the door but they know you're in there, that alone could raise their state of mind to a level that allows them to break in.  So, this provider should have opened the door, which she did.  What she should have done next is STOOD IN THE DOOR and politely not allowed them in.  She had a constitutional right to do so.  Without a warrant, the Supreme Court has said that they can't force their way in unless they have probable cause to believe a crime is in progress or evidence is being destroyed, and they need to enter to stop it.  She should have informed them that there is nothing illegal going on, and she should have stood there.  They had no evidence to the contrary.  She should have told them that she will call her attorney if necessary (and she, like all of you, should have one whom you know and can readily reach) to discuss the matter further if they wish.  She should have told them that, because she is doing nothing illegal, she has no obligation to answer their questions.  She should have then asked them to leave.

In general, my opinion is that yes, you do have to be caught in the act when it comes to a victimless crime.  I know we have some lawyers on the board with more experience than me, and I'd welcome further comments.

Finally, I have to point out that the provider community overreacted to this.  I've now learned that one of the names that supposedly came up when she chatted with police is a name shared by two different providers, and it's not the one everybody apparently thought.  In addition, there appears to be NO REASON to distrust each other, ladies, because as far as I can tell, there is no credible information that any of your sisters have said anything incriminating about anybody.  This appears to have merely been a case of nosey neighbors complaining, a provider being too cooperative with the investigating officers, and the provider's girlfriend exaggerating her description of the circumstances to a hobbyist with a big mailing list.  That's about it, as far as I can tell.

Be careful out there.