complete deletions

[Vi]

I may be changing jobs. I have emails and pms that I plan to delete. Wondering if I simply delete them from my files, will they be gone completely off the corporate system?

I remember after a co-worker left the company pulled her outlook files and read personal mails. She said she deleted everything before she left, but they somehow managed to recover them.

[Rebycman]

Re: complete deletions

Depends what kind of network is being used and how its setup. You can delete them but your private data may indeed be on a file server somewhere or on a backup somewhere...no way for you to get to those copies. Also be aware that just deleting an email doesnt always delete it (usually its just moved from inbox to the trash folder, if you don't dump the trash the emails are all still there). It should also be said that many programs have several copies of files, documents, emails stored in different directories and formats. Its just a matter of finding all the hidden caches and wipe out your data....easy eh?

Get what ya can and you can cheat by using the windows search feature to locate other files you may have missed, at least ones you have access to. (look for *.doc *.mai *.gif *.jpg etc for all the file types that you have personal data stored in). That should help you locate/backup/delete anything locally that you want (assuming you have enough user privledges to perform these actions).

Also if you installed an IM client you should be able to uninstall it before you leave. Again just make sure you get rid of all of it (namely the archives of past conversations/files/notes/whatever).

Regards,

-Reby

[Vi]

Re: complete deletions

Thanks Reby. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. This is very helpful.

I have virtually no user privileges. I can’t even delete my own input into the company directory. I can change the information, but I can't delete the contact.

Since there is no way I can assess the server, let me ask this…when the company files are backed-up, is the previous data deleted / replaced???

Let’s say the contents of file “a” is saved. I delete file “a”. Will file “a” also be deleted when the system is backed-up?

I hope I don’t sound too elementary. Just started going through my personal data and I definitely don’t want them to become curious and go through my files after I’m gone.

[Rebycman]

Re: complete deletions

Usually data is not overwritten when backed up. I do regular backups on our systems and just burn them off to a CD, so each month/week has its own backup. Its done this way so you can restore to the last backup date. But since its a backup they never get used/examined unless the server crashes. So I doubt they will go in and try to look up data already backed up, unless somebody gets a wild hair and decides to be nosey.

The best way to get email in a corporate enviroment is to use a webmail client to avoid the server/boss from seeing your private data. Sites like mine, hotmail, gmail, yahoo all offer webmail services. The draback is usually the IT guys block out these sites...doh!

Talk to your IT guys (take them some cookies or something) and ask for their help 'quietly'. They probably don't like it anymore than you do so you may get a little help in exchange for junk food. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

-Reby

[Vi]

Re: complete deletions

Reby!!! thanks for putting my mind at ease some...and the smile. You know these IT guys well, they love sweets...especially jelly beans and smarties. lol.....

Anyway...I'm not familiar with webmail and how it works. You've been so helpful, would you mind just giving me a little mo info about webmail services. Or if there is a post about them somewhere can you point me in the that direction?? I really appreciate your help. When I get to the new company, I don't want to have to worry about my non-corporate connects... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Rebycman]

Re: complete deletions

Its email via a web browser like FireFox, or Internet Explorer. Instead of using an email client like Outlook Express you go to a webpage and login. From there you can read email in your browser to check your inbox, create new mail, and change options like an auto responder, signatures, etc.

Webmail is great when you are away from your main PC and just want to check your email, or shoot off a quickie email. For day to day use webmail isnt as robust as an email client but it gets the job done. All data is stored remotely on the server so no files are actually downloaded and stored on your PC. Hence nothing to delete/find/track to keep emails confidential. About the only way to get around it is if your boss has installed a keylogger to log all key strokes (not likely) to steal your password.

Most online providers include functions like an online address book, private folders, calendar that are built into the webmail interface. Cool toys [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

If you want to play with webmail and see how it works I can setup a temp account for you on my server for you to test on. Or you can setup a gmail.com or hotmail.com account to play with.

Regards,

-Reby