Suppose I have an ultra top secret word document on a thumb drive that I need to access. I plug it into a USB Port and open and read it. I then close the document and unplug my thumb drive and put it back in my pocket.
1) Where on the computer that I was just using are copies of my ultra top secret document?
I assume some sort of copy is in working memory, and then there are “temporary files”. I have read somewhere about AutoRecover files being made. Here’s a note I made myself:
“When paranoiding about scattered versions of sensitive word files, be sure to look at AutoRecover files!!! in C/Users/UserName/LocalLow/Microsoft/Word”
Here’s another note I made to myself:
“Where are “Older Versions” of files kept and Why? For example E#1 has an “Older Versions” at \\localhost\C$\@GMT-2013.04.19-17.04.13\X Drive\My Documents\My Files\Issues To Keep Track Of\Finance\Banking”
Well that’s just great! How %^*!ing many rogue copies of my sensitive documents are out there???
2) What can I do to prevent this?
I know I can Give a password to a document in Word 2007.
3) How and how well does this protect a document from being opened on a computer? I have found an odd way to open a password protected document that does not use a computer. I hesitate to present it here though.
And while I am at it, there’s the whole issue of the Recycle Bin and Computer Forensics, and all those hidden files that show up after you go to Control Panel/Folder Options and select the View Tab and un-check the “hide hidden files and folders” box and click yes to the question/warning and then “apply”. Now explore to the C drive and notice the $Recycle.bin file. Explore that as much as you are allowed to. I feel it is a pretty safe bet that it isn’t there to do me any good. I imagine this is used to catch the perverts we read about that take their computer to the repair shop and are found to have kiddie porn on their computers. Now. I am ok with those folks getting caught, but what about other less savory use of these files?
4) Is it customary for computer repair shops to explore your computer looking for this stuff? What about the crooked or disgruntled employee??
Anyway, that’s all for now. Thanks in advance for your time.
