SecureShred(tm) Version 1.0 (SR-2)
Copyright (C) 1998 Pro-Creative Systems
All Rights Reserved.

*****************************************************************
* For the full SecureShred documentation, open the SecureShred  *
* manual by pressing F1 anywhere in SecureShred or by selecting *
* the SecureShred Manual from the SecureShred program group.    *
*****************************************************************

WELCOME!

-Do you have sensitive data on your computer?
-Do you worry about others seeing files/folders on your computer?
-Don't you wonder how applications can "undelete" files that you have
 previously deleted?
-Did you know that even if you delete a file off your system, it's not
 really deleted?
-Did you also know that if you delete a file and use a utility to
 overwrite your deleted file, it still may be possible to recover
 that file?
-Did you know that even if you 'Empty' your Recycle Bin, those files can
 be restored?
-Do you keep confidential company information on your computer?  Do you
 have competitors?
-Does anyone else have access to your computer?  Are you connected to the
 Internet?

If you have any of these concerns, you need SecureShred!

Here's why you should be concerned:
  When you 'delete' a file from your Windows- or DOS-based operating
  system, you aren't actually deleting that file at all!  All the
  operating system does is 'flag' your file as a 'free disk space'
  area to be used by the next disk write operation!  Your confidential
  document has only been changed by one character, and that was in the
  filename!  It's still on the disk!

It Gets Worse When...
  ...you have the Windows Recycle Bin activated!  When you delete a file
  in Windows, the operating system actually copies that file to a hidden
  directory on your hard disk and flags the original file as 'free disk
  space'. At this instant, there are actually two copies of your file on
  your hard drive!   If you choose to 'Empty' the Recycle Bin (or the
  Recycle Bin becomes full), your file is 'deleted' as described in the
  paragraph above, which we now know may be recoverable by software
  programs such as undelete programs or disk sector editors!  Your
  confidential document now is on the disk in two separate places!

"I Have A File Erase Utility.  I'm safe."
  The only way your file is 'deleted' is if you delete the file, which
  Windows marks as 'Free Space', and the operating system writes on top
  of this space.  Only this way can your file never be recovered, right?
  Wrong!  Unfortunately, this is not always true!

How Can This Be?
  All data can be represented in 'Bits' (the lowest form of data
  storage)  A Byte, or Character, is comprised of 8 bits.  A bit is
  represented by a "1" or a "0", signifying 'On' and 'Off' simulating
  digital switches.  But, since hard drives store data magnetically,
  there is no true 'On' and 'Off'--just a threshold level that defines
  the point where the difference between 'On' and 'Off' lie.  There are
  hardware devices available that exploit this and can recover files
  'deleted' this way!

The level of data security you require can be achieved by SecureShred!


PROGRAM OVERVIEW

SecureShred is a 32-bit program that allows you to quickly, easily, and
permanently remove data from your system without the possibility of
software or hardware-based data recovery.  Features include:

   Powerful Options:  SecureShred can quickly remove one or more
   files/folders in one click.  Delete everything under one folder by
   dragging and dropping that folder onto SecureShred.  Auto-Shred your
   Recycle Bin and any other files in one or more user-defined folders
   at system shutdown!  SecureShred also has an optional password form
   at start up to protect this power!

   Data Removal Levels:  SecureShred comes with many pre-defined
   shredding templates to provide you with various levels of security.
   SecureShred has a virtually unlimited set of shredding levels 
   available from the user-definable shredding templates!  SecureShred
   meets and exceeds the U.S. Department Of Defense standard for data 
   removal, as well as other standards set by various governmental and
   corporate organizations.  SecureShred also meets any standards that
   may be implemented in the future via it's templates.

   Windows 95/98/NT Support:  SecureShred includes long filename support
   and tight integration with the Windows shell.  Drag and drop 
   from the Explorer, or shred files/folders without leaving the 
   Explorer via "Send To" menu option.  Shred Recycle Bin Files 
   With One Click!  Drag and drop objects right onto the SecureShred
   desktop icon!  All shell options can be installed/uninstalled from
   within the application!

SecureShred is extremely easy to use!  To select files/folders to be
deleted, simply open the Windows Explorer, drag and drop onto 
SecureShred, or use the standard Open dialog menu option.  The main
SecureShred window features a list box with the names, sizes, and 
date/time stamps of all files/folders selected.  The list can be 
scrolled and items can be individually removed/added.  A tool bar 
provides fast access to commonly used actions.  All options can be saved
and restored.  Extensive context sensitive help is always available.



INSTALLATION

If you received this version as a .ZIP file (for example, SSHRED10.ZIP),
extract the files to a directory using an Unzipping program such as 
WinZip(tm); Activate Windows Explorer; Double-click SETUP.EXE in that
directory and follow the prompts.

If you received this version on disk, simply put disk 1 in; Activate
Windows Explorer; Run SETUP.EXE from that disk using Windows Explorer.

If you received this version of SecureShred in a self-extracting file
(for example, SSHRED10.EXE), you can install it as follows:

   Select Run from the Taskbar Start menu, type the full name of the file
   (for example, C:\DNLOAD\SSHRED10.EXE), press the Enter key, and follow
   the prompts.  Or, double-click that filename from Explorer.

   The setup files will be extracted to the Windows Temporary directory
   (For most systems, this is usually C:\WINDOWS\TEMP).   Activate 
   Windows Explorer; Select that directory; Double-click SETUP.EXE in 
   that directory and follow the prompts.

If, while installing SecureShred, you receive an error message like 
 "A required file, MSVBVM50.DLL was not found", please read the following:

There are 2 versions of the SecureShred setup package available:

-sshred10.zip (Size: 2066K), which includes the VB5 Run-Time Files
-shred10.zip  (Size: 756K), which does NOT include the VB5 Run-Time Files

This message means that you are installing the smaller package, which 
doesn't include the VB5 run-time files onto a system that doesn't have
the VB5 run-time files installed.  One solution is to simply download and
install the full package from the www.SecureShred.com web site.
Another solution is to download and install the VB5 run-time file setup 
package, which is available from:  
    http://www.procreativesystems.com/runtime.htm.


RUNNING SECURESHRED FOR THE FIRST TIME

   After installation has been completed, you should have a new program 
   group called 'SecureShred'.  To run SecureShred, click on your 'Start'
   button; select 'Programs'; and select 'SecureShred' from the 
   SecureShred program group.

REQUIREMENTS

   This 32-bit Application Requires Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0+


DOCUMENTS

  For full documentation, including context sensitive help, press the F1
  key at any time while running the program or select the 'SecureShred
  Manual' from the SecureShred program group.

FILE LIST

The SecureShred 1.0 package consists of the following files and 
will be installed into the installation destination directory
which is usually "C:\Program Files\SecureShred":

    README.TXT    Introductory Information
   LICENSE.TXT    License Agreement/Warranty Disclaimer
     ORDER.TXT    Ordering Information And Order Forms
    VENDOR.TXT    Information For Vendors In Text Form
   FILE_ID.DIZ    Brief Description For Bulletin Boards
    SSHELP.HLP    SecureShred Manual (Help File)
    SSHELP.CNT    Support File For Manual
  SECSHRED.EXE    Required executable

   If you did not receive all these files please contact us!


LICENSE/WARRANTY

   See the LICENSE.TXT file or the 'Legal Documents' section in the 
   manual for more information.  Please read this carefully.


ORDERING INFORMATION

   For ordering information, see the SecureShred Manual, the web site,
   or the ORDER.TXT file.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

   Technical support is available for registered users and evaluation 
   users (for the evaluation period only) via email:
      (support@procreativesystems.com)

   Technical support is also available via the web, fax, and telephone.
   See the online manual for details.


CONTACTING THE AUTHOR

    Email:  SecureShred@ProCreativeSystems.com
    Web:    www.ProCreativeSystems.com
    Phone:  941-721-3335
    Mail:   Pro-Creative Systems
	    6251 69th Street East
	    Palmetto, FL 34221-9076

    SecureShred Home Page:
	    www.SecureShred.com
