Securely deleting a User Profile

Do you mean a user account?

If so, the method I like to use is to enable FileVault on that account, and then delete the account with System Preferences -> Accounts.

Another method is to delete the account first, and then run Disk Utility's Erase Free Space feature. This is just as secure but it takes much, much longer.

However, deleting accounts won't get rid of everything. Some user data gets written to /private/var/folders. I have found copies some of my e-mail attachments and even my web browsing history in there. This data lingers on even after deleting the user account. If this is a concern, and if you are really truly worried about data security (i.e. you are selling your Mac), I'd use Disk Utility to reformat and zero out the whole hard drive.

You should be able to by opening your Macintosh HD then the Users Folder. Select the User you wish to delete and move it to Trash. Then open system preferences choose Accounts. Highlight the User Account you want to delete and select the "Minus" sign below. Then from the finder menu bar Click on "Finder" and select "Secure Empty Trash"

You will most likely need Admin privileges.

Hope that helps,
Glynn

Glynn wrote:
You should be able to by opening your Macintosh HD then the Users Folder. Select the User you wish to delete and move it to Trash. Then open system preferences choose Accounts. Highlight the User Account you want to delete and select the "Minus" sign below. Then from the finder menu bar Click on "Finder" and select "Secure Empty Trash"

I wouldn't delete a user account by simply trashing the home folder. Doing that will not properly delete the Directory Services directory node. Accounts should only be deleted with the System Preferences -> Accounts preference pane. That will ensure that the account (all of the account, not just the home folder) will be properly deleted.

No, you can't erase the drive you are booted up from.

Put in your Leopard DVD, reboot. Hold down C when you hear the startup bong. Your Mac will then boot from the DVD. Choose English. You'll find Disk Utility in the Utilities menu. After clicking the Erase tab, click the Security Options button and choose the number of overwrites you want.