I am handing down my computer to a co-worker and I have “pay grade” sensitive files and emails I need to remove, and save to a new computer before I hand over the old computer. I also want to make sure files(emails) are permanently deleted as the co-worker is in the IT department and has resources to do what IT guys do. What options do I have?
— Randolph
I would wipe the drive. Zero it out using disk utility from a Snow Leopard boot disk. And then re-install Snow Leopard. It's the only way to be sure.
I don't want to wipe the drive just need to make sure that the deleted emails and files are "really" deleted. I know enough about recovery software that so called deleted files may not be deleted at all just not visible.
OK. Then try running disk utility, selecting the drive, and using the "Erase Free Space" option. But first make sure your emails are deleted from mail -- and the trash emptied. That should do it.
Thanks Gary. Ill give it a whirl.
This worked great! Thanks again