I have a MacBook I got from work and I have used it to look at this site, and others like it, a fair amount. I have only done this from home, and I always reset Safari when I am done. I now have to turn the computer in and while I don’t think anyone will be looking for anything I would like to know 1) if I have done something really stupid, and 2) what should I do before I turn the computer in? Thanks in advance…

1)  Yes

2) Update your resume

As i understand it anything short of total and complete distruction and the IT people at your company can find it all if they have the know how and software.

Thank you
2009 = 27

Install a new hard drive.

try allume systems internet cleanup. my buddy works for apple and says that is as good as you can get !

Simply download File Shredder and shred the empty space in your laptop and you should be fine.

Bring your computer to a shop to have it cleaned up.  You can reformat your drive and reload the software also.

cleared all your cookies and history will be deleted. Unlike Windows, Mac doesn't have registries.

If you are allowed to clean your disk before turning just delete all files except applications using secure empty trash, this wipe out every thing using DoD standard degaussing.

You are already safe. If you continue to use Macs and Safari, choose the Private Browsing from the Safari menu, this eliminates the problem all together then Safari will clear cookies and cache when you exit. I use it all the time.

Hope it helps.

....Macs are much easier to deal with as far as clearing cookies....than PCs are

please take a look at the following product....it is reasonably priced (Purplus) is MY SOFTWARE FRIEND!!

Allume Systems Internet Cleanup Software

Please use the private browsing option going forward...and if I am not mistaken you can use Allume Systems Internet Cleanup Software over and over and over again.

You will need to back up anything you dont want cleaned off your system.

Happy surfing....and play safe...


Allure`

Delete everything associated with your naughty activity; i.e., web history, images, especially website cookies.

Create a folder. Copy a jpg of your kid or your mother in that folder. write a script which loops through and continually copies that jpeg image. Execute that script and let it run until you run out of disk space (could take several hours depending on the size of your hard drive).

When you get the message that you are out of disk space, delete that folder.

Having said all this, I've only done this on a pc. But I would think this should work on a mac as well.

When you turn the computer in, if they say anything to you about TER, tell them if they keep it on the down low you will tell them about your incredible experience with the providers on this board!!  

Geeks can be naughty too!

http://3d2f.com/programs/38-034-shredit-download.shtml

it is not for the Mac in the Q & A section.  

You found a different software that does work on the Mac.  So thanks for the info.

Yes - you have done something really stupid. Don't ever use a company owned system to browse inappropriate sites. While you may have browsed from home you did it on company owned equipment which would possible violate policies.

Just an FYI - At my company we image all hard drives when they are turned in before they are forensically wiped.If needed we can go back an forensically inspect the image.

After you reset Safari, make sure you delete all the caches just in case there is something left over.

Finder ===> User ===> Library ===> Caches

Move everything in the Cache folder to the trash. After you empty the trash, you need to write over the "empty" space on the hard drive. This is easy with a Mac, as the OS has a utility for this very purpose.

Applications ===> Utilities ===> Disk Utility

Open the Disk Utility application. Select the hard drive. Click "Erase". You will then choose how many times you want to write over the free space on the hard drive. Seven times should be enough.

Yes,

First, don't reconnect to your network before you take care of the problem...many IT departments can update your activity once you plug back in.

Second, if the IT department really wants to look for it, even completely reformatting a hard drive won't work, they have very good retrieval systems if they want to find it.

Only way to ensure is to replace the harddrive...and don't ghost any data from your current systems drive to the new one..only reinstall the original programs from the original disks if possible.

That will keep it clean. Make sure you have dumped all cache and nothing resides in the cache before changing the drive.  

A computer store can do this for a couple hundred dollars or less, well worth the price.

As a company, we never sold an old computer without completely removing and replacing the drive, too much information exists for those who know how to get it...and destroy the old drive as well.