Removing Scanned Items
After running a scan the results are displayed. You can remove any or all detected items that are displayed in the list. Before you begin to remove items, we recommend that you review them and select only those you want to delete. For more information, see Scan and Preview. You can clear any items in the list that you do not want deleted.
Warning: We strongly recommend that you do not save or store files you want to keep in Temp folders. Privacy Controls can remove items in Temp folders if the Scan Options are set to do so.
There are two types of removal: standard deletion and using a shred level with overwrite technology. Standard deletion will result in permanent erasure of the file but it can be restored using third-party restoration applications. Shred levels technology is even more secure as the option for restoration is remote.
Removal
The number of items found will be displayed in the results area at the bottom left. You can delete only the items you chose to delete. If there are items you do not wish to delete you will need to begin by clearing these from the list.
To clear items from the list:
Clear the check box associated with the item.
The number of items to remove is adjusted automatically. There are certain items that you can select to be cleared that Privacy Controls remembers so that you do not have to clear the item in subsequent scans. For more information, see Whitelist Items.
You can also select items in the list so they are deleted.
To select the items to be deleted:
Click the check box associated with the item.
Once you are sure the list consists of the items you want to delete, and you have chosen a Shred level or the standard delete level (see below), you can delete the items.
To permanently delete all checked items in the list:
Click the Remove button.
Shred Levels
You can choose a standard level of deletion (the default setting) or you can choose to shred the items that have been detected in the scan. To find out more about Shred levels see: Shredding Items.
Warning: You cannot detect erased files using Windows Explorer as they are removed from your system. However, a file recovery tool could, given the necessary information like the name of the file, restore the item. Using one of the Shred levels will permanently erase the files so that even recovery tools will not restore the items. However, this will slow down the removal process.
To select a Shred level, do the following:
- In the Main window, click the Options link.
- Click the drop-down arrow next to the When Removing text field.
- Select one of the overwrite options.
Delete and Overwrite Options
Shred Level
|
Security
|
Description
|
Delete files without overwriting
|
Lowest
|
The data is removed from the computer permanently (bypasses the Recylce Bin), but could be recovered using restoration tools.
|
Overwrite once (Quick)
|
Minimum
|
The data is overwritten with a single random pass and cannot, without the use of sophisticated restoration equipment, be recovered.
|
Overwrite three times (Safe)
|
Medium
|
The data is overwritten in three passes according to DoD 5220-22M specifications (the standard for permanent erasure of digital information as set by the U.S. Department of Defense).
This is the recommended setting as it meets security requirements without over-extending system resources.
|
Overwrite seven times (Thorough)
|
High
|
The data is overwritten according to DoD 5220-22M specifications (the standard set by the U.S. Department of Defense) but includes an extra four passes for a total of seven.
This is very secure but will take more time especially when shredding many files at once.
|
You can also choose to manually erase items on your system. See information related to the Advanced Shred tool.
|
