Configuring CCleaner to Delete Files Securely

Step 1. Select: Start > Programs > CCleaner

As described in detail in How-to Booklet chapter 6. Destroying Sensitive Information, the standard method for deleting files does not get rid of the data itself. The same applies to temporary files. To delete them permanently from the hard disk, the data must be overwritten with other random data. Since CCleaner does not do this by default, we must set an option for it to do so.

Step 1. Click: to activate a new set of buttons on the right of the Options button.

Step 2. Click:

Step 3. Select Secure file deletion (Slower) as follows:

Figure 2: The CCleaner Secure file deletion (Slower) option

The data will now be securely wiped when you run CCleaner. In order to wipe, CCleaner overwrites your files with random data. 'Passes' are the number of times your data is overwritten by random data.