Wiping Your Sensitive Data

It is not enough to simply delete the files on your computer, even if you regularly empty your Recycle Bin. Deleted files are easily recoverable using a number of popular utilities. Hackers will use even more sophisticated ways to recover data from your computer.

When you delete a file and then empty the Recycle Bin, the underlying data is not actually erased, but remains on the hard drive of your computer. So the files that you thought were deleted long ago can be recovered. Needless to say this is why identity thieves are very keen to obtain old hard drives, portable drives and USB sticks.

The book, Complete Guide to Internet Privacy, Anonymity & Security, uses screenshots to illustrate these dangers and then provides all the necessary techniques and recommended software you need to properly get rid of sensitive files forever - a technique called wiping.