Terms
and files used in Windows environments:
Cache memory-
File delete- Slack space- SSL- Registry- Checkdisk- Disk Cleanup- Defragment.
Files and logs: Index.dat, MRU's, Recently opened, Temp files, Media
Player history, Registry backups.
Be aware that many files created by Windows can be used to discover what types of activities have been occurring on your system without any form of probing software.
Terms
Cache (Temporary Files):
When a web page is requested and delivered to your browser, the images
and documents associated with the web page are saved in a temporary Internet
file or cache so that the next time they are requested; they are accessed
from your computer and not over the web (unless a change has occurred).
You can clear this cache in manually- Tips: Clear-
Cache.
Deletion
Overwrite - Number of Times:
This is the number of times a data destruction application will overwrite
a particular file on the hard drive. There are several Department of
Defense (DoD) and non-governmental standards-" in what should
be" the optimum number of times for overwriting. In most cases,
a 1 pass overwrite clears the file and a 3 pass overwrite sanitizes
the file. We recommend at least seven passes for the comprehensive
removal. Though more passes, the longer the running time. Maximum strength
is Gutmann's 35 passes which is extremely reliable. Many data destruction
programs do not allow you to select your own settings. Do not settle
for a software package that does not give you control over speed and
strength. File
Slack Space: Symptom- Hard drive is slowing down & wasting
my time.
A file with "slack space" refers to the unused portion of a
cluster on a hard drive that a file is stored on. This caused by doing
a lot of web surfing since thousands of small files accumulate to fragment
your drive(s). The more slack space, the slower the drive will perform.
You should use the Windows XP disk cleaner-first then defragment- second
under Start> Accessories> System tools. Use them on a frequent
basis to re-organize these files and those created by new software installs & other
left behind by un-installs. Vista users do not see the defragmentation
process since it runs in the background. We suggest a more comprehensive disk
cleaner for optimal disk performance.
Filling your drives above 50% of their capacity starts to cause major
slow downs and delays in loading programs. Get rid of programs and files
you no longer use. Since the Windows programs does not permanently erase
old files look for a destruction
program that fine tunes your hard drive automatically for optimum
performance.Protocol-SSL:
A set of established rules or etiquette in a language, code or custom.
For example, in some cultures a hand shake is considered an appropriate & friendly
form of greeting someone. Hence, the shaker following the right protocol
will result in the shakee acknowledging with a reciprocal friendly
shake.
In computer context, the "hand shake rule" states that a computer
must first establish it's true identity and origin before being allowed
to connect and conduct a friendly exchange of information. By following
the rules of the SSL protocol, parties can establish true identity. A
trusted third
party can be used to provide authentication services and certificates
to streamline the process. See more info on SSL
safety and your computer.
Registry
Fragment Files:
Most programs leave unnecessary entries in the Windows registry that
can be viewed & recovered. Evidence of Internet site visits & programs
you have installed are examples that remain until your Windows registry
is rebuilt. Some of the objectives CA's-
AntiVirus aka-PestPatrol and System
Mechanic are to clean out this huge registry file, which can range
between 200 and 1,000 Mb. See additional details below on handling Registry
Backups safely.Cleaning
and freeing up disk space- manually with Windows XP.
Scan Disk Temp Files (*.chk):
After one of your programs crashes, or Windows experiences a glitch,
errors can accumulate on your drives. One of the common errors to appear
on most drives over a period of time, is that Windows gets confused about
the amount of free space on the drive. It can create a lot of *.CHK files
at the root directory of drives. These files usually contain junk data
and can be erased to help keep drives clean & to free up space. Use
Windows "Search" from the Start menu and select all files & folders.
Type in *.chk to locate these files & delete them all.
Disk Cleanup- From your Start menu in XP, Choose All
Programs, select Accessories and System Tools, then Disk Cleanup. Let
the program do the calculations which can take some time. You will
be presented with a calculation of how much disk space you can free
up. We suggest you check mark all items since these files are of very
little use (unless you are unsure about certain files you sent to the
Recycle Bin). You press "OK" and your system will proceed with
the clean up. If the clean up is large (over 1 GB), we suggest following
up with the defragment program located in the same menu above to re-organize
your files.
Please note, without a data
destruction program, these files can be recovered, such as
the ones found in your Recycle bin, deleted e-mails, browser history,
un-installed programs, etc.
Disk Defragmenter- From your Start menu in XP, Choose
All Programs, select Accessories and System Tools, then Disk Defragmenter.
When the program opens, highlight the drives you would like to clean
up & select Defragment. Please note that after a few minutes, you
will have freed up some space and re-organized your disk for slightly
better performance.
For those Vista users that are missing having control over doing their
own defrag- check out Diskeeper.
Files & Logs: Application
Logs
Under Windows 98, logs are kept on how often you run all of your your
programs.
Common Dialog History
Common Dialogs are the standard Windows file open/save boxes that most
programs use to open and save files. Some versions of Windows maintain
hidden history lists for these boxes.
Index.dat Files
There are multiple Index.dat files in different directories that keep
a copy of whatever there is in that folder and they continue keeping
those records even after you have deleted the contents of those folders.
These files can be very hard to find and erase. If you are in Windows,
even with "Show hidden files and folders" enabled, these files
are not visible and cannot be found if you do a search for these files.
The reason that these files are so invisible is that they are not just
hidden, they have been designated as "system" files. System
files and folders are treated differently in DOS and Windows and are
effectively cloaked from casual searches.
Temporary
Files:
Windows creates temporary files in a folder named "Temp" that stores
files used during installation of a program or files used while an application
is running. In Internet Explorer, temporary files are created. You can set the
browser to empty these files under Tools> Internet options> Advanced> school
way down to Security and check the box marked "Empty Temporary Internet
Files folder when browser closes".
Windows
Media Player History & Playlist
If you have Windows Media Player installed on your system, "Most
Recently Used" (MRU) lists and playlists are stored on your computer.
The MRU lists contain links to the last 5 or 10 items that have been
used and are found in Windows Media Player application under the OPEN,
SAVE AS, and other options. Playlists will display recent files used-
played, viewed, etc. These files can be cleared in the player under Tools> Options> History-
Clear History & CD/DVD History.
MS Office MRU's
If you have MS-Office, the "Most Recently Used" (MRU) lists
are stored on your computer. The MRU lists contain links to the last
5 or 10 items that have been used and are found in MS-Office applications
under the OPEN, SAVE AS, Insert Picture, and other options. These lists
show the MRU for Word, Excel, Access, Photo Editor and PowerPoint. For
example in Word, the MRU list can be set from none to 9. Go to Tools> Options> General.
Look for the check box - Recently used file list and un tick or alter
the number of entries to reflect your personal preferences.
Recently Opened Documents List
On your Start Menu, the last 10 or 15 documents you read are stored in
the Documents folder. These can be deleted by right clicking on each
file name. Please note, you do not get a chance to recover these files
from the Recycle Bin or to take further action to make sure they are
recoverable form the disk. PrivacyExpert cleans the complete history
in one swoop & the files can be destroyed if sent to the Recycle
Bin instead.
Recycle Bin
This is a special area on your computer that holds all deleted files
until they are permanently deleted from your computer. When you empty
the bin, a shadow copy remains on your magnetic media. It can be recovered
fairly easily with the right software unless overwritten with data destruction
software such as Window Washer.
Registry Backups
These are special directories containing backups of the registry entries.
It is recommended to make a backup of the registry files prior to any
tinkering by always include the Registry in your backup routine (System
State) and export the key you plan to edit before attempting a change.
You are not protected when you add a key since a backup restore ignores
the new key. Once a change or deletion is done, you can not restore it
automatically, like System Restore. The changes can do permanent damage
to your Windows files to the point the system will not even start or
boot . A program like CA's-
AntiVirus aka-PestPatrol will analyze your registry and come up with
suggestions. It is not unusual for this registry files to grow quite
large. Do not delete the original.
Please note Windows 95/98/Me users, these backups contain
information relevant to your historical user activities, such as last
pages visited, files or computer searched, etc. A method to insure
they are erased afterwards is to use data
destruction program and clean up all user data prior to
re-booting your system. If not, Windows will create back- up copy with
traces of your activity. Simply cleaning the registry and powering
off your computer off will not eliminate the registry
back-up copy.
Registry Fragmented Files
Most programs leave garbage in the windows registry that can be recovered.
Evidence of Internet sites visits is one example that remains until your
Windows registry is rebuilt using a registry repair program. See Registry
backups.
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