How can I delete files so that they are unrecoverable, even to our IT staff? I know that deleted files are recoverable with certain software programs.
I ask because we got a new IT manager at work and he is imposing some stricter monitoring/regulations. I have been sent some stuff (unasked for) by friends that could get me in some hot H20 if found (note: nothing illegal or even really too outrageous, but enough to get at least written up).
Go to http://www.downloads.com and you’ll find LOTS of easy-to-use shareware and freeware utilities that clean-delete all the free space on your hard drive.
If you are deleting unsolicited emails and files without opening them, you should not be subject to any disciplinary action by your employer. Check your employee handbook to be sure. If your IT department is doing it’s job, there will be a record of what emails were sent to whom. If you’re not forwarding these emails on to other people, they’ll likely leave you alone. However, if these emails are coming from outside the company you could be in trouble for converting business resources to personal use.
That said, IT staffers abhor unapproved installations. IMHO, you are at greater risk of disciplinary action for installing an unapproved program than if you did nothing at all. Delete non-business related files. Let all of your friends know that they should use a non-business email account for personal communications. It’s unlikely the IT staffers will take the time and effort to recover deleted files from your system unless they suspect you of doing something more sinister.
E-mail is not typically stored on your desktop, but on a server. Even deleting the e-mail without opening it will still leave any attachments in the ‘deleted’ e-mail folder until purged.
Any attachments will only appear on your desktop hard drive if you have specifically saved them there. Only then will any of the shredder software overwrite them properly (the software will not work on network drives).
