Windows does not physically remove deleted files from your hard disk. Emptying your Recycle Bin does NOT protect you at all. Your sensitive files can be recovered, even after you format your hard disk! When you delete a file from Windows, Windows just mark the file as deleted in file allocation table, but the data of the file is still on your hard disk, there are many tools available which can let others easily recover your sensitive files even after you have formated the hard disk. Sensitive data can easily fall into the wrong hands. And because Windows is not capable of deleting information beyond recovery, you are at risk! Passwords, financial documents, even those "about last night" e-mails are fair game for the IT professionals, computer technicians or hackers. CHAOS Shredder allows you to purge, wipe and erase data with methods that far exceed US Department of Defense standards for file deletion (DOD 5220.22). .....(free).....