Contents

File killer can operate either with or without a parameter.  Click on a part of the File Killer Window for help.


General Information

File Killer, version 1.00, Copyright © 1995, James S. Reid, 72720.1310@compuserve.com.

The File Killer was designed to meet the U.S. Department of Defense standard for destruction of classified files.  Other precautions may apply to media containing files that have been killed.  The program has not been reviewed or approved by the U. S. Government.


Parameter

File Killer may be run with or without a command line parameter.

•	If you do provide a parameter, which must be the full path and filename of a file to be deleted, File Killer will start an abbreviated session, delete (not kill) the file, and terminate.  If the file you are trying to delete does not exist, File Killer will tell you and terminate after you acknowledge the message.  (In the example above, File Killer is being set up to delete the Dr. Watson log file.)

•	If you do not provide a parameter, File Killer will start an extended session.  You will be able to kill or delete a number of files or directories, one at a time.

See also:  Kill, Delete.


Drives

This box allows you to select a drive from among those available on the machine.  Changing the drive will cause the information in the Directories and Files boxes change.


Directories

This box allows you to select a directory on the currently selected drive.  Changing the directory will cause the information in the Files box to change.  If there are no files in the directory you select, you may delete the directory.  Directories are deleted; it does not matter whether the Kill or Delete radio button is selected.

NOTE: The directory you select is the one highlighted by a contrasting color.  If you click on another directory with the right mouse button, File Killer will not shift its focus to the other directory.


Files

This box allows you to select a file and to kill or delete that file.  If you choose to kill a file and the verify option is checked, File Killer will ask you if you are sure you want to kill the file.  To either kill or delete a file, click on the file with the right mouse button and hold the button down while you drag the file to the trash can.

NOTE: The file you select is the one highlighted by a contrasting color.  If click you on another file with the right mouse button, File Killer will not shift its focus to the other file.

See Also:  Directories, Drives


Trash Can
The Trash Can

The trash can represents placing the file or directory into the trash.

If your current option is Kill, the trash can will have flames coming out of it.

If your current option is Delete, the trash can will have no flames.

To kill or delete a file you have dragged to the trash can, release the right mouse button.  If you have selected Verify, File Killer will ask you if you are sure you want to kill the file.

If File Killer is unable to kill or delete the file, it will tell you.


Kill

Killing a file overwrites a file three times, replacing each character with:

•	With a "1"

•	With a "0"

•	With a randomly selected character

The file entry is then deleted from the directory structure.  The file remains on the disk and can be undeleted with a variety of software tools, but the information in the file has been destroyed.

NOTE: Killing a file is permanent.

See also:  Delete, Progress.


Delete

Deleting a file removes its entry from the directory structure.  The file remains on the disk and can be undeleted with a variety of software tools.

See also:  Kill, Parameter.


Verify

If Verify is checked, File Killer will ask you if you are sure you want to kill the file.  Verify is effective only in kill mode; the control is inaccessible if you have selected Delete.


Glossary

Delete

Kill

Selected File

Selected Directory


Progress

Killing a file may take several minutes. As File Killer works, it will fill the progress indicator with red, yellow and green from left to right as it completes each of the three kill steps.  You will be unable to do anything else with your computer during this time.

NOTE: Killing a file is permanent.

See also:  Kill, Delete.


Help

Clicking on Help... causes a help menu to pop up:

You may select one of the following from the menu:

•	This help file, beginning with the contents.

•	The Search dialog window for this help file.

•	The MS Windows "Help on Help" file.

•	The About File Killer... Box.


Exit

Clicking on Exit ends the current File Killer session and returns you to Windows.


Kill (def.)
Kill - To destroy a file's contents and to remove it from the directory structure.


Delete (def.)
Delete - To remove a file from the directory structure.


Selected File (def.)
Select - The file you select will be highlighted by a contrasting color.


Selected Directory (def.)
Select - The directory you select will be highlighted by a contrasting color and the file folder icon will open.