Whenever a user chooses to try to "Delete" any file on their computer, it actually does NOT really delete the file. Instead, the "Delete" function can be compared to tearing off a (physical) book's cover, but then still leaving that same book still on the bookshelf!

The same is true for "Moving" a file from one place to another. Instead, the "Move" function can be compared to that of copying a (physical) book and putting it on another shelf, while tearing the book's cover off the first copy and still leaving that first copy on the first shelf.

In order to actually REMOVE (really, actually delete) any file from a computer, a user must use some program to perform what is called a "secure delete".

Fortunately, there are a number of (downloadable) free software programs which can be used to perform the "secure delete" function.

The way that these "secure delete" programs work is by "overwriting" a chosen file (to be "secure deleted"). That is, the software program "goes" to the precise location on the computer disk where the specified file is located, and then it writes new code (usually, some form of random/algorithmic "1s and 0s" in computer language) "on top" of the chosen file. Such "overwriting" can be specified as to how many times the user wants to have the software "overwrite" the specified file (5 - 7 times is considered standard). The more times it "overwrites", the more the previous file is completely "destroyed", "secure deleted".

Here are some downloads of software that can perform the "secure delete" function:

• BCwipe (at BestCrypt)
  Total FREEWARE.
  Use this in Windows Explorer
  to Secure Delete files, or WIPE FREE DISK space
  Drawback is that it does not "secure delete" in
  C:\WINDOWS\Recent\ and C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files folders.
  
  
  
• MUTILATE File Wiper
  Shareware, Free until System Clock shows 30 days after Installation
  Set Power Tools Paths for Folders that BCwipe can't wipe (see above)
  Drawback is that it does not have its own UNINSTALL.
    (Solution is to simply use Win95 "Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs".)
  
  

  SynCrypt -- (11/07/01 SynCrypt.com URL "bad". Search Altavista)

  Shareware, but "secure delete" is unlimited in usage-availabilty

  This has many other functions besides "secure delete".

  Allows user to Encrypt/Decrypt files 10 times before registering.

  Drawback is that one can only "secure delete" one file at a time

• Secure Delete
  
  
• Clean Computer after Surfing
  
  
• Browsing / Surfing
  
  
• Email Issues
  
  
• Alerts / News!