Scrubbing
 General
 Avoiding cookies

 Table of Contents
 Questions

Scrubbing files

When GhostWipe deletes a file, you can optionally have it scrub the file as well. Scrubbing a file overwrites it with a random string of bits so that an undelete program or other file recovery tool will not be able to gain access to the original contents. File scrubbing is an added level of privacy protection. You do not need to use file scrubbing on deleted files unless you're concerned that someone will make a concerted effort to find your personal information on your own computer.

The more times you scrub a file, the less likely it is that the file system will retain any of the original contents. You can change the "Scrub x times" entry accordingly. We recommend scrubbing files 3 times, if you want to scrub them at all. You can scrub as many as 5 and as few as 1 time.

Finally, there is an option to delete files that are in use at the time GhostWipe runs. Some files, including the "master index" files some web browsers use, are in use as long as Windows is running. Because you cannot delete a file that is in use, some of your personal information may not be deleted when you run GhostWipe (even though you want it to be). To avoid this problem, you can check the "automatically delete files on restart if restricted" box. If GhostWipe encounters a protected file, it will instruct Windows to remove the file when the computer is next started.

General

The "Show statistics..." button displays the statistics window when GhostWipe finishes. This only applies to running GhostWipe manually (that is, from its own window); if GhostWipe runs automatically (based on the schedule you have given it), the statistics window will not appear even if this option in set.

Avoiding cookies

You may wish to keep the cookies for particular, trusted sites, even when you run GhostWipe. You can add any sites you wish to the list in the "Preserved cookies" box; this will prevent GhostSurf from removing their cookies when GhostWipe runs.