[Index.dat files]

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

 

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

Echo Off

Cls

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UserData\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Cookies\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\UserData\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"

Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

Subsequently copy the IndexDat.cmd file into your Autostart-Folder and log-in as Admin. With the following reboot the above designated Index.Dat-Files will be deleted - not wiped.

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

 

 

 

Thanks folks.

 

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.

[Index.dat files]

Hi, If I am correct CCleaner marks index.dat files for deletion at time of next startup as they can't be deleted immediately as they are being used. I also believe the index.dat files contain much personal info that is held within the temporary files that can be immediately securely deleted (7 overwrites).

 

So my questions are - when the index.dat files are deleted at next startup are they securely deleted via the 7 overwrites (assuming this is set)? If not, should you run CCleaner again after next startup in order to securely delete the old index.dat files?

 

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

 

Thanks in advance folks!