Privacy Control Software Review - Find The Top 5 Tools for File Cleaning in Windows

Privacy Control Software Review - Find The Top 5 Tools for File Cleaning in Windows
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Protecting Your Privacy

Top 5 Privacy File Cleaners

These days, you can’t be too careful with your personal data. We went from people stealing your mail to people crawling through dumpsters to get a look at your personal data. Whether you use a shared computer, or just worry about access others have to your system (cleaning staff, your boss), these privacy file cleaners will ensure that your private data isn’t scattered all over your hard drive.

CCleaner

Half the privacy battle is knowing where your private data is. That’s where CCleaner comes in. What started many years ago as a simple cookie deleter has grown into a full scale privacy keeper. CCleaner will delete not just your cookies, but your history, temporary internet files, and all sorts of files and indexes you’ve never heard of. What’s more, CCleaner also cleans up all those files left behind by assorted applications.

Pros:

  • Cleans browser tracks AND system files

  • Also cleans up applications like MS Office, Google Toolbar, Adobe and others

  • Free!

Cons:

  • Only supports IE, Firefox, Opera

Privacy Eraser Pro

Privacy Eraser Pro, like CCleaner, removes those pesky tracks left behind by your internet surfing. It also hits the usual hotspots like Recent Documents and the recycle bin. But, it also allows for plugins that provide for privacy functionality on over 250 different applications. So, you can take care of more than your browser and system files.

Pros:

  • Supports IE, Firefox, Netscape, AOL, Opera, and MSN Explorer

  • Plug-ins support additional privacy for other applications including Adobe, Office, Image Viewers, and Video Players

  • Can be scheduled to run on a regular basis

Cons:

  • $29.95 price tag

  • Can be difficult for less experienced users to setup plugins

Privacy Guardian

Privacy Guardian cleans up all those Internet files, temp files, and system files. It also supports plugins including lesser known chat programs. It claims to use DOD standard file wiping techniques to not only delete your files, but keep even the most savvy byte jockey from being able to recover them.

Pros:

  • Supports IE, Netscape, Firefox and Opera

  • DOD standard file erasing means files are unrecoverable

  • Plugins available to clean even more products

  • Scans can be scheduled

Cons:

  • “One Click” processes are difficult to configure (you can use the manual functions)

  • $29.95

Webroot Window Washer

Window Washer removes all the standard internet browsing tracks plus over 450 other applications making it the most comprehensive product. It also allows for more customization, allowing you to decide to keep certain things if you choose.

Pros:

  • Supports tons of 3rd party applications

  • Customizable to leave certain applications or files alone

  • Can be set to work on schedule

Cons:

  • $29.95 (per year)

  • Customization can lead to user error – best to know what you are doing if you are going this route

  • Beefier profile than the others; uses more resources

WinClear

WinClear does a solid job of erasing your tracks from your internet browser based activities. It takes care of the usual suspects like the cache, cookies, history, etc. It also automatically empties your Recycle Bin on startup. The best WinClear feature is that you can use hotkeys to start the cleaning process and it will all happen in the background without interrupting your work. Great for when you just finish doing something private (“What is the deal with this green discharge?”) and you want to clean up right away without launching a program or waiting for the scheduled cleaning time.

Pros:

  • Supports almost any browser - IE, Firefox, AOL, Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, MSN Explorer

  • Hotkeys allow instant start and runs in the background

  • Can be set to work on schedule

Cons:

  • $37 price tag Mostly for Internet cleanup only, won’t get data inside of 3rd party apps Other Editor’s Picks from this writer »> Windows Server 2008 Read Only Domain Controllers »> Why Firefox is Better Than IE 7.0