Unsolicited downloads

[Gary]

Exactly, I pointed out the person could have looked at porn etc and they bent over backwards to help, the engineer had not even done all the screws up properly in the case

[jupiter]

Of course, the authorities would have to be suspicious in order to bother to look at your computer.  They don't just check everyone's computers.  I wonder why they thought to look at this guy's computer in the first place. 
If it was the case talked about on the television programme last night, then I can't say he totally convinced me.

Yes, that was the programme I saw, but cos my interest was in the technical aspect I did not cloud the issue of my question by raising the rights or wrongs of that individual case.

But from what others have posted, it does appear technically possible to have on your computer content you are not aware of and did not seek - nor would it have to come from a 'dodgy' internet site, but could be from a source like flickr.  I guess such photo sites are 'patrolled' but I imagine it can take a while for illegal content to be spotted and removed?

[Rik]

You are right, Jupiter, and all any of us can do is to make sure we protect ourselves as best we can. What we can't afford to do is to ignore the problem, or the content of our drives.

[Simon]

I think securely deleting cache files is a basic security measure everyone should undertake.  You don't need to have visited naughty websites to have unwanted material stored on your PC.

[Rik]

Too right, Simon - Digital Spy were doing a line in lingerie ads a few weeks back.

[Azazel]

Trust no one, *reaches for his foil hat*, there all out there watching us and injecting hacks into our URLS!!!!

but seriously we do need to get serious about security but the first thing anyone says when you do is "why are you doing that got something to hide?" which is a very unhelpful attitude.

[Rik]

We never say that here, instead we tend to say, "How come you're only just getting round to it?"

[Ted]

If anybody is concerned with what's on their hard drive i.e. passwords, bank details, credit card stuff etc This will sort it out 

Good if you are selling on.
Not to be used unless you like reinstalling Operating systems.

[Rik]

I can think of a few people I'd like to recommend the app to, Ted. If only to stop them constantly calling me with questions about their PCs.