14 DAY TRIAL // As we've previously discussed, there is a constant need to keep one's information private. With an ever improving technology in the undeleting files and folders filed, you can never be too sure about how safe your data is.
Simply deleting the files on your computer (even with a specialized program) will not keep you safe. Windows, as well as all the applications that you're using on a daily basis, keep activity logs and create temporary files that can give away much of your personal information.
This means that you need an application that not only completely deletes files from your computer, but one that knows where to search for sources of private information that needs to be deleted.
I have come across Anti Tracks, a small program that will help you remove any tracks of privacy from your computer.
Let's find out more
The program supports erasing multiple Netscape, Mozilla and Mozilla Firefox profiles in the same time. You can easily select which profile you want included inside each erase process using the Netscape/Mozilla Profiles Manager.
You have the option of scheduling automatic cleaning cycles during Windows shut down or start-up, or at specific intervals using the schedule option that's included with the software.
Another feature created to ease your deleting work is the drag and drop feature that allows you to drop items onto the file shredder screen.
Also, the program integrates into Windows' context menu, allowing you to wash (also known as shredding, or purging) any file or folder quick and easy. There is an extra option that you can enable from the Options panel, that activates an even more advanced function in the menu, "Securely erase using >" and you will have to select one of the available cleaning methods.
The Index.dat files store information about what cookies you save and what web sites you visit. These files are locked by Windows when your system is running and you cannot delete them. Anti tracks securely erases the index.dat files, so that others can see no information stored in them.
You can log and see all files that are erased in the Reports section. By default this setting is disabled, since this would mean that the program deletes your files from their original location, but creates a file with all their names in another place on the hard drive.
There are web hijacker programs that can modify the home page in your browser's settings. Anti Tracks includes a homepage protection engine that sets your homepage back to the original value if it's changed.
The program includes a cookie manager that allows you to select which of your IE cookies you want to keep, maintaining your preferred Internet settings. The same applies for your URL history, and you can select which addresses you want to keep, and which ones you want to delete.
If you don't want people to know what documents you have been handling recently, you have the option of deleting the Most Recently Used list from Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint or FrontPage.
The same situation applies for Windows. You can wipe the Temp folder, Recent Documents History, the Run History, Find/Search files and folders history, Find/Search Computer History, Recycle bin, Last log on history, Auto Dial History, Network cache, Telnet History, Clipboard, Open/Save History, Scandisk files, Application logs, Registry back-up, registry fragmented files, registry streams and the Swap paging file. This long list holds some of the most precious information that you have stored on your computer and not deleting it would expose your privacy.
You can select from a variety of deleting plug-ins to use, for the most common used applications. There's a Plug-in manager that allows you to select which ones you want to wash and which ones you want to leave alone. If you have installed a plug-in that's not in the list, you can create a new entry from the Plug-in Wizard, and set it up to delete files, folders and registry keys, or update INI files.
There are several standards for purging files, depending on what security level you want to obtain. The program features the USA Department of Defense 5220-22-M, which overwrites each file 3 times with random characters, the USA National Security Agency standard that overwrites each file 7 times and the Guttmann standard that overwrites each file 35 times, using a different pattern each time. If you would like to create your own standard, the program allows you to do this. You can select the number of times to overwrite the files, select the characters you want to use in the process (random, one or zero characters), and, if necessary, you can scramble the file or folder's name.
The Good
The program works well, and comes in a small package. The nice interface makes it even easier to get used to its options. For an increased privacy you can password your settings.
The Bad
Even though the featured purging standards are above USA's Department of Defense and National Security Agency requirements, and you have the option of configuring your own method, there could have been more included. You cannot add new items in the browser list, but you can, however, create a new erase plug-in and manually add it to the programs list.
The Truth
I like the fact that it completely deletes more than just ordinary files, making sure that it finds all possible sources of private information that's been stored on your computer. It's easy to work with and you get a 15 days trial version. If you decide to buy the program in the first 3 days, you will get a $20 discount (and buy it for $10), which makes it a bargain.
Check out the screenshots below to get a glance at the program in action:
