Security question from proby

Archer50 · 18 Jul 2013

Hi, my kids are quicker at this than me so excuse the ignorance

....Windows 7 Home addition:
Goal: To make sure no one can gain important files/info "deleted" from my system, (and yes I know they are still "there" and accessible to the right person/program).

Question: Is it necessary to make a system image file, system restore disk, and wipe your system completely, to be secure that all deleted files are gone? And if that is so, these "hidden" files are not transferred back on again in a restore? In other words, you didn't just clean your machine and then load an exact image with all the things you're trying to destroy right back on there did you? The "wipe" takes those out because they are not selected in an "image restore" ?? Does this wipe everything, including: deleted files, sites visited, skype/yahooIM or other chat conversations, etc.?

And finally, I have done a complete wipe because of a system failure/virus...That was a factory restore...never could figure out how to have all your desktop programs loaded, in working condition, as well, without the disks, such as a "One click tune-up" program purchased online. Is this what a "system image" does? It will restore everything, including separate downloaded programs, the way you had it?
TY Experts !!

Anak · 18 Jul 2013

Hi Archer50, welcome to 7F! :)

The usual procedure, (but there are variations to this) is to make an image right after your factory restore. This will have everything on it as when you first brought the machine home, and yes it does format the hard disk drive (HDD).

Then once you have all your programs installed, but before you start adding personal information you can take another image.

That way you won't have the "worry" that you're adding personal information.

Layback Bear · 18 Jul 2013

Welcome Archer50 to our Forum.
If I understand your question correctly you want to make sure certain files are removed for ever. If this understanding is correct any image or backup of your computer done before a complete wipe and is put back on your computer will be complete with wanted and unwanted data.
Example: You have data A,B,C,D. You don't want D on your new install.
Only back up A,B,C. Then do this. (Don't be fooled by the title)
Take a good read through the Tutorial.

Windows 7 Installation - Prepare PC to be Sold

This method wipes you hard drive of everything. Exception is very highly trained person with very special equipment and programs. Like governments might use.
Then after your fresh install you just install what you want leaving out (D) because you didn't back it up.
Now you have a fresh install of Windows 7 on a wiped hard drive and only the backup data you wanted saved A,B,C.
D is nowhere to be found.

Britton30 · 18 Jul 2013

An image, such as Macrium's, will carry all of your installed program and all data as it was at the moment it is created. It won't image your Pagefile or files that have been deleted, ie, in the Recycle bin.

There are some paid file "shredders" around but CCleaner has an option to wipe Free Space which will make the deleted files unrecoverable. There is a free version to d/l.
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Anak · 18 Jul 2013

For Layback Bear, and Britton30,

Would this tutorial be overkill? Darik's Boot and Nuke - Use to Secure Wipe a Hard Drive

Britton30 · 18 Jul 2013

Anak said:

For Layback Bear, and Britton30,

Would this tutorial be overkill? Darik's Boot and Nuke - Use to Secure Wipe a Hard Drive

I don't think so, it's one more option, but DBAN will require a fresh install.

Layback Bear · 19 Jul 2013

No it would not be over kill If someone was worried about private data.
Their are several methods that one can choose to use. We have just posted some.

Anak · 19 Jul 2013

Thanks guys, I realize it is for a different set of circumstances, but it could be useful, like Britton said, "another option" with the reservation of needing a fresh install.

I noticed it in 7F's tutorials a while back, and thought this might be a good time to post it.