Ccleaner query -how to permenantly delete files but not whole disk?

Hi

I want to permanently delete files which may have been left on my PC by a previous owner's internet use.

I have used Ccleaner to clean up files including the index.dat, which i understand to be the place where history is stored in addition to the 'accessible' history records which can be deleted using IE, but i notice that in order to permanently and fully remove files you need to use the 'drive wiper' faciility, which allows you to run the Guttman 35 pass wiping process.

As it doesn't give you the option, I assume that when you just use the standard 'cleaner' facility it is not actually FULLY deleting all trace of files which may have been left on the PC from internet use? i.e. there could still be a trace/record of files/sites accessed if a full forensic investigation took place?

Is it necessary - and is it possible? - to run the Guttman wiping process on specific parts of the hard-disk, where internet history files might be permanently stored?

thanks
TomPo

 

You can not run the drive wiper on a drive that has the windows install on, it will only wipe the free space. The only way to guarantee that the drive to have no previous data left to be read is to pull it and slave it to another machine and then run the Guttman , to do this though you will need a copy of your OS and system drivers so as to re-install after as the Wiper will delete all the data on that drive including the OS.

iain.t :major

 

I think, in CCleaner, you're looking for:

Options > Settings. Then in the "Secure Deletion" section, click the "Secure file deletion (Slower)" radio button. In the drop down menu box just below that, select your poison.

You could also try something like Glary Utilities Slim which has a "File Shredder" that can be accessed from the program(2nd thumbnail) or from the Windows Explorer file context menu(3rd thumbnail).