Computer Security Question

fmdog44

fmdog44

Well-known Member
Location
Houston, Texas
If I create a doc then print it and immediately delete it without saving it does it still exist in somewhere in my computer?
 

Nothing is actually deleted from your PC when clicking DELETE or recycle bin..it will get written over in time, but remnants can still be retrieved by using FORENSIC software, that is why you see police removing Computers from peoples homes after a raid....but to anyone else, without that software, you can consider it gone.

In essence, emptying the trash leaves your document "right there" but "out of reach." to you.

Preventing recovery of deleted documents
On the other hand, if you really need to be sure that, say, a deleted confidential document can not be recovered in this way by someone else, you'll need to use another kind of program designed to scrub all the unused chunks on your disk, making recovery of deleted documents impossible (except perhaps by the FBI or NSA). This is called "erasing the free space."
 
kburra said:
Nothing is actually deleted from your PC when clicking DELETE or recycle bin..it will get written over in time, but remnants can still be retrieved by using FORENSIC software, that is why you see police removing Computers from peoples homes after a raid....but to anyone else, without that software, you can consider it gone.

In essence, emptying the trash leaves your document "right there" but "out of reach." to you.

Preventing recovery of deleted documents
On the other hand, if you really need to be sure that, say, a deleted confidential document can not be recovered in this way by someone else, you'll need to use another kind of program designed to scrub all the unused chunks on your disk, making recovery of deleted documents impossible (except perhaps by the FBI or NSA). This is called "erasing the free space."
Click to expand...
But heck of you erase it then why not erase it for everyone..
 
OK, thanks for the responses. I asked because I was thinking of making a spreadsheet of my important passwords I have always done by had on paper but I don't want to do it if there is a chance of being hacked and my info stolen.
 
fmdog44 said:
OK, thanks for the responses. I asked because I was thinking of making a spreadsheet of my important passwords I have always done by had on paper but I don't want to do it if there is a chance of being hacked and my info stolen.
Click to expand...
You can make it but not save it during the process. Then clear the spreadsheet and save that version. Then delete it. The recoverable version won't have your data on it.
 
Deleted files are "hidden" from view, but can still remain on your HD. The best way to Clean your PC is to download and run a free program called CCleaner...It seems to get rid of any remnants of unused/deleted files. It even has a provision for cleaning the Registry. I've used it for several years, and between keeping the Anti-virus up to date, and running CC regularly, I've had no problems.....knock wood.
 
Change those passwords every 60 days or so. Never use the same one for multiple applications. Use at least 16 characters with punctuation and numbers for the more sensitive data. The major issue is someone hacking into a company or national database, which is out of your control. So being diligent is imperative.

Keep in mind SSD's and Thumbdrives are more difficult to "clean" than spinning hard drives. The best method of security for SSD's or Thumbdrives is using encryption. Apple offers this on all their recent computers and it's pretty decent.
 
Last edited:
kburra said:
Nothing is actually deleted from your PC when clicking DELETE or recycle bin..it will get written over in time, but remnants can still be retrieved by using FORENSIC software, that is why you see police removing Computers from peoples homes after a raid....but to anyone else, without that software, you can consider it gone.

In essence, emptying the trash leaves your document "right there" but "out of reach." to you.

Preventing recovery of deleted documents
On the other hand, if you really need to be sure that, say, a deleted confidential document can not be recovered in this way by someone else, you'll need to use another kind of program designed to scrub all the unused chunks on your disk, making recovery of deleted documents impossible (except perhaps by the FBI or NSA). This is called "erasing the free space."
Click to expand...
My son is a part time ethical hacker, patches holes before the bad guys get in.
I told him to try and get my passwords as I thought I used security best practices, he had them all in less than 5 minutes. :oops:
 
fmdog44 said:
OK, thanks for the responses. I asked because I was thinking of making a spreadsheet of my important passwords I have always done by had on paper but I don't want to do it if there is a chance of being hacked and my info stolen.
Click to expand...
I move files like this to an external hard drive. Then I turn the power off to that hard drive until I need that specific file again. Then I go back to the copy of that file on my main computer and shred it using McAfee.
 
I deleted a forum website from my default Browser last year and went to settings after looking up the procedure on my default and Google. Quite straightforward and the forum doesnt keep popping up in my Menu bar on my Browsers.

I dont feel anything is 100%secure on the Net and its a punt we all have to take but being wary and cautious is the main thing imo
 
Last edited:
There are so many ways that hackers can get data that I think it's impossible to maintain a high enough level of security to keep everything secure all the time.

I do my best to maintain reasonable security measures with the certain knowledge that the kind of hacker who is interested in general consumer level stuff (rather than high level banks and other secure locations) is going to try for the less protected information first and will troll for that, rather than taking the extra time to bypass my security measures.
 
Don M. said:
Deleted files are "hidden" from view, but can still remain on your HD. The best way to Clean your PC is to download and run a free program called CCleaner...It seems to get rid of any remnants of unused/deleted files. It even has a provision for cleaning the Registry. I've used it for several years, and between keeping the Anti-virus up to date, and running CC regularly, I've had no problems.....knock wood.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reminder about Cache Cleaner. Over the past few months I purchased a new desktop and laptop, but forgot to add CCleaner to them!
 
Gardenlover said:
My son is a part time ethical hacker, patches holes before the bad guys get in.
I told him to try and get my passwords as I thought I used security best practices, he had them all in less than 5 minutes. :oops:
Click to expand...
GL, would you please share some of your son's advice on this subject?

I almost never change my passwords because I make them (I think) fairly difficult to break. Upper and lower case letters that don't form words, numbers, and characters. Passwords for banking, purchasing, and personal info are always over 20 characters, and I don't permit my browser to remember them. When going out of town I erase my browsing history. Not sure what else I should be doing.
 
StarSong said:
GL, would you please share some of your son's advice on this subject?

I almost never change my passwords because I make them (I think) fairly difficult to break. Upper and lower case letters that don't form words, numbers, and characters. Passwords for banking, purchasing, and personal info are always over 20 characters, and I don't permit my browser to remember them. When going out of town I erase my browsing history. Not sure what else I should be doing.
Click to expand...
Much of what my son suggests you are already doing.

Passwords:
  • Use upper and lowercase letters
  • Use special characters
  • The longer the password the better, but no fewer than eight characters
  • Use two factor authentication
  • Change passwords every ninety days, monthly is even better.
  • Use different passwords for each online instance that requires a password
  • Don't allow browsers to save your password
  • Don't store unencrypted passwords on your computer
  • Keep written lists of passwords separate from your computer.
  • If password lists are stored on your phone password protect them
Computers
  • Use antivirus/malware/pop-up blocker/ransomware protection software
  • Use VPN (Virtual Private Network) software
  • Don't open emails or email attachments from unknown sources
  • Keep your software updated
  • Secure your wifi and periodically change the password
  • Remove and destroy hard drives before trashing old computers
 
fmdog44 said:
Never thought of changing my WiFi password. Changing my PWs very ninety days or monthly would drive me nuts.
Click to expand...
Agreed about both. Will have to look into changing my WiFi password. Changing my other PWs that frequently would make me crazy. I'd rather add 6 more characters to each and leave it at that.

Thank you for the list, GL. That's very helpful.

I'll have to investigate VPNs.
Ditto with "securing my wifi" - not sure exactly what that means or how to do it.

I use 2 factor ID when it's available.
My browser has a log in of its own, and I only let it store PWs for non-sensitive sites (like this one).
 
Gardenlover said:
Secure wifi requires a password before allowing you to connect to the network.

When out and about I never connect to public wifi, such as those available at coffee shops, etc.
Click to expand...
I understand that newly purchased wifi boxes all come with the same preset password for each model and they do not make a point of encouraging people to change them. The fact that many of these preset passwords are published online causes further alarm.

Changing this password is not as easy as it is to change other passwords. You will need to original factory password to do it and may have to connect to the manufacturer's website. People commonly discard this original paperwork once their system is up and running. I found the process more complicated than it should be.
 
I change my wifi password from time to time and is very easy really..you need to access your router and to do this type 192.168.1.1 in the browser address bar...Access to your router now available,will be asked for login and password normally is "admin" for both, if not opening with this will written on the back of the router.
All configuration options are now available, just click WIRELESS and proceed to change. My router below.



mod.jpg
 

Last edited:

Back
Top