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Oliver

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Posts posted by Oliver

  1. wipefreespace wrote:

    What I would like to see in CCleaner is a utility to wipe the free space in a drive. I have been looking for this extra feature in freeware and at the moment use Webroot Window Washer instead.

    Have you ever asked yourself the question why you need wiping the actual HardDisk in use?

     

    It is nonsense to do so, because you?ll never be able to completely wipe all of your user-traces out of an actual HD in use. What is OK for legal Web-Interactions.

     

    I repeat - I am talking about a HD that is integrated in a System. Think over where exactly you want to wipe it and if it is necessary - as wiping is also quite time-consuming.

     

    Just wipe any HD you want to give away - but asking for an integrated application to wipe any HD that is still in permanent and continuously use of your System is nonsense, because you won?t be able to obtain "virgin snow" - no matter what you intend to do with it.

     

     

    Oliver

  2. If it is important for you to delete (not wipe) the Index.dat files out of your IE-System-Environment - do the following:

     

    a. Open Notepad - Copy the follwing Data into it and save it as Purge.cmd into you Personal User Profile of C:/Documents and Settings/Your User Name/.

    ECHO OFF

    CLS

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet files"

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Cookies"

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Local Settings\User Data\index.dat"

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"

    RD /S /Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

    RD /S /Q "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UserData\index.dat"

    RD /S /Q "%USERPROFILE%\Cookies"

    Echo OFF

    CLS

     

    RD deletes listing

    /S deletes all the sublists

    /Q disables the confirmation dialogue so its automated

     

    Check on Path-Adaptation of the above given Script and replace Your Username with Your Personal System Name - German System here, so pathes and names can vary...

     

    b. Search for Autostart of All Users in going to C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Start Menu/Programs/Autostart - right click on an empty space and go to > "New" - choose > "Shortcut" - click on Browse and locate PURGE.CMD into your profile to make it Root for all Users after System Start-Up.

     

    It?s still a damned reliable way to get rid of any sensitive content within those Index.dat files if you really need IEX.

     

     

    Oliver

  3. GZeus asked:

    Oliver - would you say it is safer (in general) to use RegSeeker for this type of cleaning if you remove the *.txt and *.log from the initial list you posted?
    Yes - not safer but more practical, concerning the cleaning of Junk-Files (whatever you define as Junk) aswell as the cleaning of Registry-Errors. CCleaner and Regseeker can complement one another quite well.

     

    Andavari wrote:

    Removing .txt files (text documents) isn't recommended!

    Andavari is right - leave the TXT?s and LOG?s out, as long as you?re not sure what to do with them. The proposal above referred to an "agressive" cleaning, where most of the TXT?s on an average User-System can turn out being unused, unread and therefore are redundant.

     

     

    Oliver

  4. gitto asked:

    In the partition C:\ I want to delete all the .tmp files present on this partition.

    With CCleaner only Junk-Files within the Windows-Directionary are deleted. CCleaner doesn?t mess with the whole C:\ Partition. You?ll need a separate Program for an Overall-Cleaning.

     

    You can take advantage of Regseeker (Freeware - doesn?t need any installation / *.zip).

     

     

    http://www.hoverdesk.net/dl/en/RegSeeker.zip

     

     

    Once the programm is extracted - Go to > "Find in Registry" > "Search Files" (tick box on rightside).

     

    Make sure "Hidden Files" and "System Files" are marked.

     

    Copy the following extensions into the: "Search for" box.

     

     

    *.tmp; *.temp; *.gid; *.chk; *.~*;*.log;*.sik;*.bak;*.txt;*.db;*.old;*.pf;*mscreate.*

     

     

    this is an agressive cleaning of unused files.

     

    Anyway beware of some *.txt and *.log files before deleting. Log?s are sometimes used by Firewalls and Txt?s can contain Filter-Definitions for Local Proxies. Watch for the Prompt-Out before Final Deletion.

     

     

    Oliver

  5. Ed Y asked:

    Is this a problem with the latest version of Firefox or is something else happening??

    Concerning my knowledge, the cache (of any Browser) is specific to each User.

     

     

    a. Are you logged in as Administrator?

     

    b. Is your PC configured as a Multiuser-Plattform? (Multi-User OS?)

     

    c. Can it be that Firefox was installed in a different location? (several profiles?)

     

     

    maybe you have to adapt CCleaners Settings, concerning its exact cleaning locations...

     

     

    Oliver

  6. wikitech wrote:

    I prefer the real-time deletion of IE7 but I like the convenience of CCleaner.

    Depends on the fact in how far you can really trust the integrated IE7 cleaning option.

     

    If you do take advantage of a separate Hex-Editor and try to really look deep into the remaining informations that are still provided by the deleted index.dat-files (deleted by the IE7-Option as you have said), you might still obtain usefull data, because as far as I know, IE7 doesn?t clean those files - it just deletes some informations out of them. (what you call "Real-Time-Deletion").

     

    Concerning my experience, the only way to not obtain any sensitive data out of the index.dat files, is just to completely delete or even better, to wipe them.

     

    I changed the Script within the posts above because I made a mistake...

     

    Merry X-Mas,

     

     

    Oliver

  7. This will probably not answer your question according CCleaner-Procedures - but try to:

     

    a. Go into Tools-Options in Word (X) and turn off the option to display the List - hitting OK.

     

    b. Select the check box and specify the exact number of files you want displayed in the Entries box. Setting the number to 0 will remove the list entirely and won?t log any list. (Preferred).

     

     

    Reference of MRU-Entries in MS-Office:

    http://windowsxp.mvps.org/RegistryMRU.htm

     

    Responsible Reg-Key is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\XXX\Word\Data\Settings

    This one stores binary data of the MRU. This binary has to be deleted or edited.

     

    Manual Deletion of all MRU-Entries from the Registry:

    Programms like Regseeker or MRU-Blaster.

     

     

    Oliver

  8. reddswiss asked:

    To me it looks like old updates and prior versions of installed software? Can I safely remove these programs?

    and

    JDPower answered:

    NOOOOOO. Thats your installed programs, remove them you'll have a very empty computer. Its basically whats listed in Add/Remove programs with some extra programs that Windows doesn't display.

    That is not particulary true.

     

    The Windows-Add/Remove Programs are indeed listed there, but the Information provided is not always displaying the current and correct load of Programs that are actually installed on your Windows-System - more on the contrary - the Information provided by the Windows-System (that also CCleaner-Tools is depending on) can be sometimes defective as it belongs to the Install-Section of the Windows-MSI-Installer. That one might also defectively announce previous Versions of Programms that actually don?t exist anymore, especially if you have installed a newer Version of a Program over an existing older one without completely uninstalling the older one beforehand. The MSI-Installer then displays the old and the new Version. Same happens if a Program hasn?t been properly uninstalled.

     

    The correct path for deletion in the Registry would therefore be:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Installer/Products/{Number-ValueXXX}/ProductName or PackageName [Date]

     

    so it is actually true to say, old Versions of Programs or old Programs might be displayed within the Tools-Section of CCleaner - just try to be careful with the Program (or Version) you want to delete - there I agree with JDPower.

     

     

    Oliver

  9. [user Assist History]

    LangSecRef=3004

    LangRef=3128

    WarningRef=3206

    RegKey1=HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserAssist

    RegKey2=HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserAssist

     

    works much more efficent as the UserAssist option with specified number-brackets {Numbervalue}.

     

     

    Oliver

  10. dds asked:

    Is CCleaner Version v1.35.424 program compatible with Windows XP Professional x64 edition???

    yes it is...

     

    Kernel-Execution Implementation 64 to 32 bit internally on the OS side and full 64-bit OS support from the Programs side.

     

    The "Issues Scan & Fix" feature should be safe aswell.

     

    Anyway backup or better image your data before first-time usage...

     

     

    Oliver

  11. Green Eyes wrote:

    So, in summary it seems CCleaner is a good tool for deleting to free space but not for security purposes if the index.dat files are not totally wiped - which means personal info could still be retrieved.

    That is unfortunately true - and there are two general things to take care of concerning secure cleaning and saver surfing as far as I know.

     

    a. There are much cooler tools around for the secure cleaning of designated files / partitions / or even entire disks - for instance the free tool Eraser.

     

    b. Assuming you do care a lot for your own personal surfing privacy (at Home or Company) and your Harddisk is not small, you probably do yourself a big favour not to take any advantage of the Internet Explorer unless you really need it for certain reasons. Opera and Firefox provide a much better and safer surfing comfort without the use of any Index.dat files - since there is actually no real informatic reason for those files to exist.

     

    Deleting the Index.dat files with the above given Autostart-Scripts and taking advantage of Alternative Browsers aswell as keeping your HD constantly defragmented with a free tool like Power Defragmenter might result in an impossibility to restore any available personal logged content from your Index.dat files later on by i.e. authorities...

     

     

    Oliver

  12. Assuming you are using Windows XP, replace "Administrator" with your own personal User-Name and copy the following Script into Notepad.

     

    Save the resulting file as IndexDat.cmd (no "txt"-Extension).

    Echo Off

    Cls

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UserData\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\UserData\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"

    RD/S/Q "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

    Echo Off

    Cls

    1. Subsequently copy the new IndexDat.cmd file into your profile (move the new IndexDat.CMD to C:/Documents and Settings/your user name/).

     

    2. Go to C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Start Menu/

    right click on empty space and go to new and choose "Shortcut".

    click on browse and locate IndexDat.CMD in your profile to have the Script executed at every System-Startup.

     

    3. Finally there is still an alternative to combine this Script togeteher with the Freeware-Program Eraser at System-Startup.

     

    Or is there no way the information contained in index.dat files can ever be securely deleted.

    With CCleaner - No.

     

    If you wish to have the Index.dat-Files permanently unreadable, you?d better switch to an alternative Browser (Firefox / Opera) and keep your system constantly defraged.

     

    P.S. With a Knoppix-CD as a separate Boot-System, you might be able to delete files under XP as long as the mounted Host-Drive / Partition is not formatted as NTFS. For that you?ll need a Captive NTFS-Driver wich is not uncomplicated...

     

     

    Oliver

  13. scbeekeeper wrote:

    [...] but does that mean it automatically overwrites (and "cleans") the _sectors_ where the data file was written?? [...]

    a. in a literal sense the sectors are not really "cleaned" - they are just overwritten multiple times. The term "cleaning" is misleading since it is not actually possible to "clean" or "eleminate" old data from a harddisk in order to relegate it back into a condition like pure snow.

     

    b. if such a "cleaning" (wiping) is of such a strong importance to you, I fear CCleaner wouldn?t be the right tool for you to do the job. You?d better refer to a separate program like Eraser.

     

    Concerning your last question:

     

    http://software-today.com/content/view/35/56/

     

     

    Oliver

  14. Cleaning the (IE6) Browsers-Cache by CCleaner hasn?t got anything to do with the functionality of Java-Scripts (Pop-Ups) in general and it definately hasn?t got anything to do, in how far the Layout of your Website is displayed within any Browser.

     

    IE6 provides over 79!!! different Java-Script configurations within its own IE6-Settings - and actually there are multiple free Progs.available that actually can "configure" those JS-Settings with just a single mouse-klick.

     

    Concerning Pop-Ups on your Web-Site, maybe your friend has taken advantage of a separate Pop-Up-Blocker or a separate Optmizing-Programm that "works" in the background.

     

    Just guessing...

     

    Concerning your post, CCleaner here is not to blame...

     

     

    Oliver

  15. JerryB. wrote:

    [...]I don't know what a "fly-by" installation is[...]

     

    ...it is an unwanted installation of a smaller and hidden secondary programm coming together with the major program. Originally you probably just wanted Netscape (8.1?) and you secretly got Pest Patrol aswell... it is like a big shark that is followed by smaller fishes in the hope to get their little share... that?s how the internet ticks nowadays - it?s all about money...

     

    Start MSConfig (over Start >>> Run).

     

    proceed to the Services-Tab and tick the box for "Hiding MS-Sevices". (I am just translating from a German System here - so I don?t know if the terms a correct).

     

    the remaining Non-MS-Services can be deactivated (not deleted) so that with the next System-Start you?ll boot into a plain Windows environment without secondary programs. (Same with Safe-Boot over F8).

     

    Figure out which service is responsible for PP and delete it - afterwards it is possible to delete the PP entries out of the "Run"-Keys of the Registry.

     

     

    Oliver

  16. O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [ppupdstub] C:\PROGRA~1\CA\ETRUST~1\core\PPUPDS~1.EXE "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Scanner\ppctl.dll"

     

    belongs to PestPatrol Version 5 SDK and is no Malware.

     

    Was this a "fly by installation" from Netscape?s Security-Center?

     

    There might be more than one file responsible for the startup of the program

     

    Start MSConfig and try to deactivate the necessary services that belong to PP.

     

    Have aswell a closer look to:

     

    Windows NT 'Wininit.ini':

    PendingFileRenameOperations: C:\Program Files\Common Files\pestpatrol\ppupdstub.exe

     

     

    Oliver

  17. CeeCee wrote:

    i have used MRU-Blaster for a long,long time. It's set run on start up,but it's not clearing those Word Viewer MRUs. Those WV MRUs really not seem to be stored anywhere,reg. key or a file. That's why i really don't know how to clean those MRUs.

     

    If there is no option in your WV-Programm to not store any Recent-Files-Lists, you can delete any MRU-Entry throughout the Registry with a separate Programm like Regseeker.

     

    Or - Open any document under an Application, name and save it immediately. Then go into the Registry, and have a look if this document is somewhere saved there in a clear-text-format.

     

     

    Oliver

  18. Admiral Ross wtote:

    That reminds me. Years ago we took drives and put a sledge hammer to them. It was fun too. The bank was to paranoid in recycling the drives.

     

    we did and still do use a "magnetic-flushing-procedure" here in our country - exposing the old disks to a stong electrical current - or mechanically abrasive the surface of those disks.

     

    Taking advantage of just a sledge-hammer would definately be irresponsible (especially for a bank) - as fragments of those broken disks still could contain coherent and recoverable data - especially as data is more and more packed per square-inch. (...guess that was an American Bank you were talking about - those guys are sometimes too easy going). :)

     

     

    Oliver

  19. veccio asked:

    I heard information on firefox to be more safer than ie for navegation because its almost impossible to be iivaded for a hacker.that is correct?

    General differences between IE und the two alternative Browsers (FF and Opera) are: (Guess you knew that already...)

     

    a. Opera and Firefox both are only acting on a "System-Surface-Area" - meaning, both Browsers are actually not linked into the deeper part of the Operating-System, where it might be possible to infect sensitive System-Files. (IE does so, if not configured properly). >>> Acting on the Surface.

     

    b. Opera and Firefox both don?t know any "MS-JS" and "MS-Active-X-Elements". (Active-X-Elements usually do have full System-Rights if used under IE and an Administrative-Account - wich can pose a danger). >>> No dangerous Scripts.

     

    c. Opera and Firefox both are taking advantage of a "reduced Java-Script-Set" that is acting in a kind of "Sandbox". >>> Reduced Java-Script-Functions.

     

    d. Opera's SPARQL- and Firefox?s Gecko-Engine are still performing much faster, concerning Webpage-Loading, as IE?s Trident-Engine. >>> Faster Engine.

     

    The Google-Toolbar is an external function element that all three Browsers can revert to and that actually uses coloring of the URL-Bank to warn before Spyware-Sites. (My personal oppinion is - not to use it - you can never know in how far Google takes advantage of the informations wandering accross their servers).

     

    Concerning your inquiry to be "save" of any Hackers, the installation of Firefox or Opera definately won?t do the trick alone.

     

    You definately need to shut down unnecessary Services under Windows XP und probably take advantage of a Firewall "just after" a clean and sober System-Installation. (Installing a Firewall after your System has already been infected, doesn?t make any sense).

     

     

    Oliver

  20. Buzzzzzby advised:

    You could use SysInternals free program SDelete which will clean your disk free space.

    A very good advice - but the thread-starter (crillis) seems to be in need of an overall cleaning solution for the entire disk - not just wiping around already existing files because:

    quotation crillis:

    I am curious if ccleaner is cleaning my entire hard drive.

    it is never a good advice to clean around already excisting files - files that actually can?t be moved anymore, (execpt the procedure of defragmenting those files).

     

    concerning my oppinion, it is a much better advice to completely wipe a Boot-Disk from the scratch (7-run-overs) - just to install the most necessary Boot-System-Files on that Disk afterwards >>> Perform an immidiate, adjacent Image of that "Virgin-System".

     

    Confidential and personal files should then only be kept on a separate solid-state memory (USB-Stick) or a separate USB-Hard-Disk-Drive.

     

    @Greenknight

    Concerning my oppinion, Easy-Cleaner does not even get close to the performance of CCleaner.

     

    Regseeker, and the JV16 Power Tools are indeed doing a pretty goog job - JV16 is just not for free...

     

     

    Oliver

  21. crillis asked:

    [...]is ccleaner only overwriting the recent files or is the entire hard drive being cleaned?

     

    You are actually mixing up three things here... "Wiping", "Deleting in general" and "Deleting by CCL".

     

    a. If you want to completely wipe out your harddisk (or single files) - CCL. is definately not the right tool to do so. "Eraser" can do that.

     

    b. CCL. has its predetermined folders to find general (not personal) files for deletion - no matter if you even have had redundant files to delete (or wipe) in other locations of your system before installing CCL.

     

    c. CCL. is able to delete Temp- and Protocol-Files (Junk-Files) evoked by the Operating-System and participating Applications within their designated folders.

     

    d. If you look for a cleaner, that deletes redundant files throughout your harddisk - you need a secondary programm that searches within your entire drive...

     

    Regseeker could do that - you just have to "feed" the Programm with the files you want to delete:

     

    A proposal for such a general deletion procedure under Regseeker could be:

     

    *.tmp; *.temp; *.gid; *.chk; *.~*;*.log;*.sik;*.bak;*.txt;*.db;*.old;*.pf;*.hlp;mscreate.*

     

     

    Oliver

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