Deleting evidence of my Perb’ert ways…

[Finegan]

I have to turn my computer over to an IT professional for an upgrade and I would like to eliminate evidence of my Perb’ert ways – can someone provide me with instructions?

I am not an IT professional, so sadly things will have to be made simple (I am simple). I know about Internet tools (yes, I use IE) and deleting files eliminate history and deleting cookies, but what else do I need to do? Empty recycling bin… Clear word clipboard…Secret file locations…????

If this is a task great than your average computer user can you recommend a good disk cleaning software program (free, or pay) for purchase, or download?

PM, or email me if the message is long and involved, but I imagine others would benefit from this information.

Thanks in advance.

Fin

 

[zlmmm]

The simplest, brute force method is to go to Tools Menu in IE and select Internet Options. Then in the General Tab (default) select Clear History and Delete Cookies. This of course will also delete any legitimate cookies you have stored, so may not be your preferred option.

Cookies are less obvious than history, so would only be found if being searched deliberately, so you make the call on your comfort level. You could manually go through your cookies folder, but you might not recognize many of the web sites (at least get rid of all the XXX, Adult, etc.).

Also, there are document histories in your windows folder, plus a web cache and search history that you may want to search for and delete anything of obvious offense.

Finally, you will have to manually delete any porn movies or pics that you have deliberately saved, but the above gets rid of the semi-hidden stuff.

For a more elegant and selective interface, downlaod AdSubtract Pro from download.com (assuming you use a PC) and activate it for US$20. In there you can selectively save the cookies for the web sites you want and clean up more thoroughly all the histories, cache files, searches, temp files and everything.

 

[steve austin]

Find the largest magnet you can lay your hands into and rub it against the HD for a couple of minutes.
Hand the PC over to IT.

 

[kendo]

You want the safest way to remove the 'paper' trail? Trash the HD. Deleted things can be recovered. Sure chances are the IT guy won't dig for things but better safe than sorry. (=

I know this probably isn't an option as you may have stuff on the PC you need (though all that should be on a network share and not on your PC (= ).

To add to the above posts, they both mentioned Cookies and History. You should also Delete Files on the same screen as the previous two options. This will remove files in the Temporary Internet Files folder, ensure you check the 'Delete all offline content' also.

I hope you don't have any questionable links in your Favorites either. If so, trash them.

Also, what OS are you running? If it has a restore function make sure the old restores are removed and do a fresh one after you have deleted the above files.

Would make this longer but I need to go do a few things. (=

Ciao,

Kendo

 

[JFK]

There are many program that destroy internet traces but this one is free. it is called sexplorer and you can downloaded directly.
Sexplorer

 

[hitrack]

Chances are if your like me you let IE remember all you passwords so when you log into perb and so on you don't need to re-enter your password all the time.

Chances are the guys to busy to give two shits about some URL named PERB. He'll probably just have a boo at your MY Documents and snag all your music and movies, I know I would.

To bad you can't do the work yourself, or get a friend to help out. What ever your doing on a home PC probably wouldn't take more than 30min; probably less if it's just memory, or video card upgrades.

Kinda pointless to use a dummy HD if the tech does some reconfiguring, or driver installing and you get it home swap drives then your new piece of equipment won't work now.

Give me a call I'm settin up shop in a alley DT. My hours will be from 11pm to around 2am give or take. LOL!!!!

No real point to what I'm trying to say other than these places that fix computers will charge you through your a$$hole, so it's worth it to try to figure out this sh*t on yer own.

 

[gymguy]

Any comments on Internet eraser? I use it by still have to go to Netscape and delete cookies and history manually. I use IE for work and Netscape for "personal" stuff.

 

[LowerMainlander]

how about the following command?

format c:

 

[Finegan]

Thanks!

Hi All,
And thanks so much for the replies. I amazed at the shit I don’t know… (you all will be too when you read the questions below)

I think I can handle deleting the Internet files, cookies, favorites and history with the tools menu.

Is simply going into “My Computer” and conducting a search for perb, xxx, and so on likely to catch most everything? And sorry, but where do I look for the web cache?

Kendo: I run Windows 98 does it have a restore function? (Sorry I don’t know this – downgrade my IT skills from basic to complete novice).

Adventurer: Sorry: defrag disk? I know what it means, but how? (Downgrade skills from complete novice to barely speaks English) Thanks for the tip on the Gig size files – hadn’t thought of that, but it makes sense.

JFK: I suppose then I have to explain why I have a program named Sexplorer on my computer. (JK) J Thanks for the tip.

Hitrack – you’re probably right I’m being paranoid, but better safe than sorry.

LM: Thanks man, thanks (know that LM is kidding upgrade IT skills to just above LM’s).


This is only going to be a software update and there is no reason for anyone to go digging, but I would like to be fairly clean. If they find something they will have had to go looking for it and that might be equally hard to explain (home PC not covered by corporate security policy).

Thanks again to all, you guys are great,

Fin

 

[Hit Man]

Dude, I'll preface this statement by saying that I am way hammered. If you're still running 98, even 98.2, you need to completely wipe that harddrive and start over with XP. Go with the Pro version and follow with Adaware. Spybot Serach and Destroy and AVG virus (Or comparable pay version). I would even consider replacing the harddrive. If your IT Dept is only replacing software at this point you are WAY behind. If it's a network environment your company is in serious trouble. You can be the hero and suggest security upgrades that will ultimately save major coin. If you get a raise I expect my usual fee. Good luck. HM

 

[kendo]

Just do the IE clean and you should be fine.

If the PC is YOUR pc and not the companies PC then they can't do shit to you.

 

[JFK]

Hi

sexplorer has no installation program and it is small enough to be run from a diskette. You can also rename it to anything you want (only one file). You can use the program to browse internet even when you are using other people computer (from a diskette) and destroy all the trace when you are finished.

 

[LowerMainlander]

Finegan,

Do as the others have advised and clear your cookies and history.

And a bit of advice regarding using your company provided laptop to PERB:

STOP.

Use your own computer and they can't do anythig to you. Use the company computer and you can, as you've obviously figured out, be at the least reprimanded for it. or at the worst, fired for it.