Did you know that when you delete a file, it is not removed from your laptop? Did you know that a record of every picture you view online is written to your hard drive, and that your computer records every webpage you’ve visited? It’s scary to think that anyone who gains access to your notebook computer can find out everything about you just by using freely available data recovery software.

Your computer holds a record of everywhere you’ve been online, as well as all your chats, instant messages, passwords, user id’s and more. Just about everything you do on your laptop is recorded somewhere, and any snoop with average computer skills can access this information. This is important to know, particularly when it comes time to discard, sell or give away your old notebook computer.

In order to make sure your laptop doesn't contain any information about you that would allow an identity thief to steal from you, every laptop user should use privacy software like CyberScrub.

Why “Delete” Does Not Erase Files

Simply deleting a file does not erase it. When you delete a file from the recycle bin you won’t see it anymore, but it is still on your computer. Windows actually just removes the record of the file, tagging the space it occupies as “free to write over”. Eventually the file (or a part of it) may get written over, but even then it can likely be recovered using sophisticated equipment. Even formatting your hard drive will not remove all traces of your data. The only way to ensure that deleted files are totally gone is to use special software known as a “file shredder” or “file eraser”.

Where Your Personal Information is Stored

Your internet browser stores a record of all the websites you’ve visited, and also keeps a history of all photos, videos and audio files you’ve accessed. Windows stores information about the documents you’ve created and accessed, applications you’ve used, photos you’ve viewed and files you’ve accessed. This data is located in many different places including the registry, your swap file, index files, thumbs files and more. Much of the data Windows stores is located in protected system files, and there is no way to manually “erase” it all without corrupting your system.

How to Protect Your Privacy and Ensure Deleted Files are Erased for Good

The only way to make sure your personal and sensitive information does not get into the wrong hands and ensure that deleted files are totally unrecoverable is to use specialized privacy software. Some of the most popular products are CyberScrub Privacy Suite, Privacy Guardian, WebClean Internet Privacy and Security and Privacy Shield. Privacy software is designed to quickly and easily eliminate history files, shred deleted files and keep Windows “clean”.

I recommend CyberScrub because it’s really easy to use. It also gives you the option of controlling which files and registry keys are erased. This is important to me, because I want to see what’s going to happen before I press the “clean up my computer” button. CyberScrub Privacy Suite received a 5 star rating by ZDNet and CNet, which is reserved for only the best of the best.

As with all the better software products, you can download a free trial of CyberScrub to try it out and see how you like it before you decide to buy.