Abstract: A snapshot-aware secure delete event identifying a file for snapshot-aware secure deletion on a computer system is received, and the file to be deleted is identified from the snapshot-aware secure delete event. Each file snapshot associated with the file on the computer system is accessed at the volume level and each non-duplicate file extent of the file snapshots is identified. The raw data identified by each non-duplicate file extent is securely overwritten using a secure overwrite technique, and each file snapshot is deleted from the computer system. In this way the raw data of the file and the raw data of all the diff areas of file snapshots associated with the file are securely overwritten and deleted.

Abstract: A parental control system is used to verify the identity of parents, based on children's instant messaging aliases. A plurality of verified parental accounts is maintained, each of which includes the identity of the parents and their children, including the children's instant messaging aliases. When a first child wishes to electronically communicate with a second child, s/he makes a request which includes the second child's alias and additional information identifying the target party. Only if an account containing the alias is found and the additional information can be verified, an identity verification request is transmitted, disclosing the identity of the first child's parents, and requesting reciprocal identity verification. Only if the second child's parents disclose their identity is the instant messaging between the children permitted.

Abstract: A copy of the raw data on physical disk of an inaccessible source file is automatically generated in an accessible target file. When accessed, the copy of the raw data of the inaccessible source file in the accessible target file can be read allowing a user or application to evaluate the data of the accessible target file, and thus indirectly the raw data of the inaccessible source file. In some embodiments, the copy of the raw data is evaluated for malicious code, allowing a user or application to take protective actions, such as deleting the inaccessible source file. Where the raw data of the inaccessible source file is encrypted, the copy of the raw data is automatically decrypted by the operating system when read yielding unencrypted data. Where the raw data of the inaccessible source file is compressed, the copy of the raw data is automatically decompressed by the operating system when read yielding uncompressed data.