RE: Erasing private files from Windows XP.

If the repair doesn't involve the hard drive, pull it out and send it
back without the drive.  No storage media reduces the amount of personal
info.

Drew

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce@securityfocus.com [mailto:listbounce@securityfocus.com]
On Behalf Of Yousef Syed
Sent: Sunday, 28, January, 2007 10:01 AM
To: Security Basics
Subject: Erasing private files from Windows XP.

Hi,
Can someone please point me to a checklist of all the places that
Windows XP might store personal information?

I need to return my Laptop for a repair and would like to ensure that no
personal or client information is hiding anywhere.

I've erased "My Documents" and various other directories in the
"C:\Documents and Settings" directory; plus all directories that I
created myself.

I've run CCleaner to clear out all the Temp files, Cookies etc...

However, my experience of Windows is that it has a tendency to store
data all over the place.


Furthermore, does anyone have any policies in place for when corporate
PCs are sent to a third-party to be repaired?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
ys


--
Yousef Syed
"To ask a question is to show ignorance; not to ask a question, means
you remain ignorant" - Japanese Proverb