ParetoLogic Privacy Controls > Tutorials > Cleaning Third Party Applications
Cleaning Third Party Applications
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As well as clearing Windows history and deleting files associated with P2P network applications ParetoLogic Privacy Controls will also work with a wide range of third party applications. Almost all applications leave traces within your system. Even when you delete files or applications from your system they can be recovered by hackers and professionals using specialist software. ParetoLogic Privacy Controls offers the opportunity to securely remove these files as well as various settings and entries associated with the files.
Personal Data Found In Applications
Third party applications can contain information that is as damaging as any information stored within Windows applications or within the system files and folders themselves. Adobe Acrobat is particularly damaging if you create Adobe records yourself from Windows applications. Desktop Search facilities such as Google Desktop and Windows Desktop also contain personal information that can be used to determine your browsing habits and the terms you most commonly search for.
Desktop Search Agents And The Information They Store
Desktop search agents offer a quick and convenient method to search the Internet as well as your files and folders. The problem with this convenience is that it does harbor large amounts of personal data that shouldn't be accessed by third parties without your prior consent. If you are a regular user of this software then the regular clearing of these files and folders is strongly advised in order to ensure that the software is optimized and running at its quickest. The same is also true of your PC and system.
How ParetoLogic Privacy Controls Can Help
ParetoLogic Privacy Controls provides a convenient method to completely remove all traces and files created using popular third party applications. By following a few simple steps and procedures it is possible to completely remove all traces of files created within those applications.
1 – Opening ParetoLogic Privacy Controls
Open ParetoLogic Privacy Controls and click the Options button to be taken to the scan options page.
2 – Third Party Application Options
Navigate down to Third Party Applications and ensure that the checkbox is ticked.
3 – Making Your Choices
Click the arrow next to Third Party Applications and click the arrow next to each application that you wish to clear. The different applications and options are as follows:
Adobe Acrobat – it is possible to clean all versions of Adobe Acrobat from version 4 to version 7.
Macromedia Flash Player – users can clear the history within Macromedia Flash Player and also delete the temp folder contents.
Google Desktop Search 4.x – within Google Desktop Search it is possible to clear out the Index and Data folder, the Links folder, the Temporary folder, Google toolbar search history, and settings for items that you choose not to search.
Windows Desktop Search –
under this option users can choose to delete the index and all
logs.
Yahoo Desktop Search – Yahoo Desktop Search users can also
delete the index and logs as well as any searches that you have
saved.
AOL Desktop Search – the index option enables AOL Desktop
Search users to completely clear the index of its contents.
4 – Starting The Scan
Once you have selected each of the components of any desired applications click the Scan & Erase link in the top left of the main ParetoLogic Privacy Controls screen. This will take you to the main scanning page. If you are satisfied with the options you have chosen then click the Start button to start scanning your computer.
5 – Viewing Scan Progress
While the scan is underway the options screen will be replaced by a scan progress screen. In turn, this screen will be replaced by a scan results page once completed.
6 – The Scan Results
The scan results shows a list of the options you chose along with any results found under each of these options. Each result has a checkbox next to it. Ensure that any files or entries that you wish to erase have checked boxes next to them for deletion. Some results may offer a preview that can be accessed by double clicking on the name. The result will be displayed in the preview pane on the right of the screen.
7 – Erasing The Files
Once you have selected or disabled each of the options according to your preferences click the Erase button to erase those selected files. After clicking you will need to confirm that you wish to proceed with the deletion. Click Yes to erase all of the selected items.
8 – All Finished
Once the deletion has completed you will be directed back to the main ParetoLogic Privacy Controls page where you can continue to scan your computer for unnecessary or obsolete files.
Why Clear Third Party Applications?
Third party applications are often overlooked when users attempt to clear out their systems. Unfortunately, they are common breeding grounds for the creation and storage of personally identifiable information and should be cleaned regularly to prevent hackers and electronic thieves from stealing your personal information.
They can also become clogged with files that make the software itself and your system run unusually slowly. Using ParetoLogic Privacy Controls regularly to clean out these applications can improve their performance and generally improve the performance of your computer.