Warning: Windows advice ... I know nothing about Apple/Linux.
Retrieving deleted files is straightforward. You can buy utilities that will do it. Maybe even available as freeware. Deleting a file doesn't really delete it. It just erases its name from the "table of contents" and allows overwriting of the actual file if the space is needed.
That said, doing the multiple overwrites to truly erase a file is unlikely to be worth the hassle and may require greater computer savvy than you have. Utilities to do the secure erasing exist, but they never seemed too user friendly to me. Though possibly someone knows of a good solution and will suggest it.
As far as browsing history, etc. There is material from the browser such as cookies, cached pages, and history. I like to use Firefox because I find the privacy controls easier to use than for Internet Explorer. But no doubt IE can be made to behave.
I think the more hidden problem is with respect to media files. If you are watching videos, they are downloading onto your PC when you are watching them. In theory they should be deleted by your player after they have been watched. But that may not be happening and they may be hanging around in temp folders. Doing a search for *.mpg , *.wmv etc. may turn them up.
Looking for advice from anyone who is more computer savy than me. After I visit TER, porn sites, ect., I always delete the browsing history so no one knows what sites I was on. Is retrieving deleted files something that can be done easily? Is this the best way to protect my privacy? Any advice will be appreciated.
you need to delete cookies, cache and history and passwords too or you still leave easy-to=find traces. All of this can be found in your browser under options. Many more things you can do, but that's a must start.
Warning: Windows advice ... I know nothing about Apple/Linux.
Retrieving deleted files is straightforward. You can buy utilities that will do it. Maybe even available as freeware. Deleting a file doesn't really delete it. It just erases its name from the "table of contents" and allows overwriting of the actual file if the space is needed.
That said, doing the multiple overwrites to truly erase a file is unlikely to be worth the hassle and may require greater computer savvy than you have. Utilities to do the secure erasing exist, but they never seemed too user friendly to me. Though possibly someone knows of a good solution and will suggest it.
As far as browsing history, etc. There is material from the browser such as cookies, cached pages, and history. I like to use Firefox because I find the privacy controls easier to use than for Internet Explorer. But no doubt IE can be made to behave.
I think the more hidden problem is with respect to media files. If you are watching videos, they are downloading onto your PC when you are watching them. In theory they should be deleted by your player after they have been watched. But that may not be happening and they may be hanging around in temp folders. Doing a search for *.mpg , *.wmv etc. may turn them up.
Not shilling - just a satisfied customer - those smarter than me can tell you if there's something better - just washed the computer and copied the "wash list" to demonstrate all the places stuff can hide:
Scanning IE AutoComplete Form Data Washing IE AutoComplete Form Data Scanning IE Address Bar (History) Washing IE Address Bar (History) Scanning IE Cache (TIF) Washing IE Cache (TIF) Scanning IE Cookies Washing IE Cookies Scanning IE Downloaded Folder Memory Washing IE Downloaded Folder Memory Scanning IE History (Visited Sites) Washing IE History (Visited Sites) Scanning IE Media Bar (Player) Washing IE Media Bar (Player) Scanning IE Setup Log Washing IE Setup Log Scanning Windows CD Burning Storage Folder Washing Windows CD Burning Storage Folder Scanning Windows Clipboard Washing Windows Clipboard Scanning Windows Disk Error Checking Temp Files Washing Windows Disk Error Checking Temp Files Scanning Windows Document History Washing Windows Document History Scanning Windows Media Player Washing Windows Media Player Scanning Windows Recycle Bin Washing Windows Recycle Bin Scanning Windows Run History Washing Windows Run History Scanning Windows Search History Washing Windows Search History Scanning Windows Temporary Files Washing Windows Temporary Files Scanning Windows Directory Temporary Folder Washing Windows Directory Temporary Folder Scanning Adobe Acrobat Pro Washing Adobe Acrobat Pro Scanning Adobe Acrobat Reader Washing Adobe Acrobat Reader Scanning Spy Sweeper Washing Spy Sweeper Scanning Spyware Doctor Washing Spyware Doctor
there is a little program called After Surf that I use on my Mac it cleans it all with one click and can clean mutiple browsers safari, firefox, opera etc.. It is shareware and can be paid for through PayPa.l
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