Trace Evidence

[Shades]

Exactly.
A woman at work 'suspected' hubby was messing around.
She went through his home PC they shared and all she found was a few 'hidden password protected files' she couldn't get into. Made her even more suspicious. They had a big fight and he took off for a few days. While he was gone she had a friend pull the HDD and take it to someone who got into those 'protected files' hubby thought were safely hidden. All the evidence was there and they got a divorce with him being taken to the cleaners.

Agree with all the comments on this inherent risk. I don't think she is computer literate enough to dig through herself, but she does have access to her own IT resources...replacing the hard drive is looking better all the time!

Firefox at home will not lose its drop down browsing history even after clearing everything out several times. I had to delete the program and re-install it.

Yeah, this is really an annoying feature! I can hide the terb bookmark amongst a number of other bookmarks, but that damn recently bookmarked section is really a pain in the ass! I think if I disable my password access to firefox on the computer being transfered she will have to register herself to use this browser, or IE for that matter. This will set up a new "empty" bookmark folder for her, and mine will be gone, or at least invisible....won't they?

 

[Rockslinger]

On a somewhat related issue. Is it true that the new photocopiers now have a harddrive that records everything being photocopied? Might be embarressing if you are using the office photocopier to make copies of your resume and covering letters you are sending to potential FUTURE employers.

 

[onehunglow]

They are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is much to be gained from the collection of info because there is always someone or organization ready to buy it.

 

[terpene]

tweaks for FF

Firefox at home will not lose its drop down browsing history even after clearing everything out several times. I had to delete the program and re-install it.

Follow these steps and your issue will be resolved...

If you don't want address bar browsing history in Firefox you need to enter mozilla

config page... in the address bar, type:

about:config (ignore the warning! if you dare, I've never had trouble)
and then scroll down to:
browser.urlbar.maxRichResults
and change the default. The default setting is 12 and if you
want nothing, you enter 0.

Google about:config for other tweaks, use at your own risk, of course.


Also, go to: Tools>options>privacy, where you can alter how long browser history is kept, which cookies, and what FF does with other information: FF is very tweakable.

For the privacy challenged, look at http://www.heidi.ie/node/1 for a selection of tools, some free others for purchase.

For reviews of privacy software go to http://www.consumer-reporter.net/privacy_software_reviews/i.htm

 

[WoodPeckr]

Google about:config for other tweaks, use at your own risk, of course.

Make sure you know what you are doing here.

You can make many changes to how FF works and if you're not carefull you may fark up FF.
Then you will have to delete it and start over and may loose all your bookmarks.

 

[terpene]

Make sure you know what you are doing here.

You can make many changes to how FF works and if you're not carefull you may fark up FF.
Then you will have to delete it and start over and may loose all your bookmarks.

True, Woody. Knowing what we are doing is what TERB is about!

Just export a copy of your bookmarks, or use xmarks, or one of the add-ons to back up Firefox...

 

[onehunglow]

Make sure you know what you are doing here.

You can make many changes to how FF works and if you're not carefull you may fark up FF.
Then you will have to delete it and start over and may loose all your bookmarks.

Go to Bookmarks, click Organize Bookmarks, click on Export and Organize Bookmarks and save them to a safe place. Use the same procedure to restore them.

Just in case any changes causes you to lose them or reinstall FF.

 

[onehunglow]

just ask the IT guy to do a full wipe

If you choose this option. Download the program RECUVA from filehippo.com and do a "Deep Scan" before you hand over the machine. It is a simple program that recovers file fragments and whole files. Even if a file is damaged and is unrecoverable it may have a file name like "TERB".

 

[Shades]

We all know who wears the pants in his house LOL

I still want to have a house to wear pants in

These are all great suggestions...will be tackling the computer on Friday so will let you know how it goes..

 

[blue_bawls]

The only way to proceed is to erase the entire disk and start from scratch or buy yourself a new HD.

There are countless places where info is recorded in temp files, logs etc that are not erased by cleaners. Trust me, i was working with Microsoft last week on a stubborn problem when they gave me a code to bring up a log that showed hundreds of places i have traveled to on the net. This after running all the cleaning utilities and free space cleaners i usually use. I was amazed.

Its a calculated risk, just like having a wife and hobbying at the same time.

Roll the dice or be safe.

Having taken a computer forensics data recovery course, take my advice, just sanitize the hard drive and start from scratch. A free tool, dban, is located for download at this url http://www.dban.org/download

It is endorsed by the US DOD. PM me if you need assistance.