Volcanic-Grade Privacy Protection for Windows
Securely wipe all traces of your activity before shutting down your PC. Perfect for shared workstations, libraries, internet cafes, or any environment where privacy matters.
- 🧹 Browser History Wipe - Chrome, Edge, Firefox (history, cookies, cache)
- 🗑️ Temp File Cleanup - User temp, Windows temp, prefetch data
- 📋 Clipboard Clear - Removes all copied data
- 📂 File Explorer History - Recent files, jump lists, run history
- 💾 RAM Overwrite - DoD 5220.22-M standard (3-pass random data)
- 🔌 Safe Shutdown - Powers off after complete cleanup
Total execution time: ~1-2 minutes
- Download Latest Release
- Extract the ZIP file
- Right-click
INSTALL.bat→ Run as administrator - Follow the on-screen instructions
- Double-click "Secure Shutdown" on your desktop when ready
-
Enable PowerShell Scripts (one-time setup):
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
-
Copy script to
C:\SecureShutdown\SecureShutdown.ps1 -
Create desktop shortcut:
- Target:
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -NoProfile -File "C:\SecureShutdown\SecureShutdown.ps1" - Right-click shortcut → Properties → Advanced → Check "Run as administrator"
- Target:
.\SecureShutdown.ps1Clears all traces, wipes RAM (3 passes), shuts down computer.
.\SecureShutdown.ps1 -Shutdown:$falseRuns all cleanup operations but does NOT shut down. Perfect for testing.
.\SecureShutdown.ps1 -RAMPasses 7Overwrites RAM 7 times instead of 3. More thorough but takes longer.
.\SecureShutdown.ps1 -WipeRAM:$falseClears traces but skips RAM overwrite. Much faster (~30 seconds).
- Chrome: History, cookies, cache, download history
- Edge: History, cookies, cache, download history
- Firefox: History, cookies, cache
%TEMP%- User temporary filesC:\Windows\Temp- System temporary filesC:\Windows\Prefetch- Program execution traces- Recent files list
- Jump lists (taskbar recent items)
- Run dialog history
- Clipboard contents
- RAM overwritten with cryptographically random data
- Multiple passes ensure data cannot be recovered
- Garbage collection forces memory release
✅ Clear browsing history and cache
✅ Remove file access traces
✅ Wipe volatile memory (RAM)
✅ Obscure recent user activity
❌ Recover already-deleted files
❌ Wipe SSDs perfectly (wear leveling limitations)
❌ Clear BIOS/UEFI logs
❌ Remove network activity logs (router/ISP records)
❌ Delete cloud-synced files (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)
- SSDs: Due to wear leveling, deleted data may persist in hidden blocks
- Network logs: Your router and ISP still have connection records
- Cloud services: Synced files remain in cloud storage
- System restore: Windows restore points may retain data
For maximum security, use full disk encryption (BitLocker) from day one.
Solution: Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser -ForceSolution: The script requires administrator privileges:
- Right-click PowerShell → "Run as administrator"
- Or ensure shortcut has "Run as administrator" enabled
Solution: Enable admin rights on the shortcut:
- Right-click shortcut → Properties
- Click "Advanced" button
- Check "Run as administrator"
- Click OK, OK
Solution: Check if you're using test mode:
- Remove
-Shutdown:$falseparameter to enable shutdown
Solution: Reduce passes or skip entirely:
.\SecureShutdown.ps1 -RAMPasses 1
# or
.\SecureShutdown.ps1 -WipeRAM:$falseTypical execution time on modern hardware:
| Component | Time |
|---|---|
| Browser cleanup | 5-10 seconds |
| Temp files | 5-10 seconds |
| File Explorer history | 2-5 seconds |
| RAM wipe (3 passes, 16GB) | 60-90 seconds |
| Total | ~1-2 minutes |
Create a Windows Task to run at end of day:
- Open Task Scheduler (
taskschd.msc) - Create Basic Task
- Trigger: Daily at 6:00 PM
- Action: Start a program
- Program:
powershell.exe - Arguments:
-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\SecureShutdown\SecureShutdown.ps1"
- Program:
- Check "Run with highest privileges"
The script uses RNGCryptoServiceProvider for cryptographically secure random data. To modify:
# In Wipe-RAM function, change:
$rng = New-Object System.Security.Cryptography.RNGCryptoServiceProvider
$rng.GetBytes($ramArray)| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| PowerShell | 5.1 or higher (included in Windows) |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge, Firefox (auto-detected) |
| Permissions | Administrator rights required |
cryptobsidian-shutdown/
├── SecureShutdown.ps1 # Main script
├── INSTALL.bat # Automated installer
├── README.md # This file
└── LICENSE # MIT License
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
- Test on Windows 10 and 11
- Maintain PowerShell 5.1 compatibility
- Add error handling for all operations
- Update README with new features
- Follow existing code style
- Use GitHub Issues
- Include PowerShell version (
$PSVersionTable) - Describe expected vs actual behavior
- Include error messages if any
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
This script is part of the Cryptobsidian security ecosystem.
Cryptobsidian delivers volcanic-grade security tools for privacy-conscious users. Like obsidian volcanic glass formed under extreme pressure, our tools are forged to be unbreakable, sharp, and impenetrable.
- Cryptobsidian OS - DoD-level secure USB operating system with complete amnesia
- Obsidian Vault - Encrypted portable storage with hardware key authentication
- Obsidian Forge - Secure USB creation toolkit
Website: cryptobsidian.com (coming soon)
This software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk. The authors are not responsible for any data loss or system issues that may occur.
Always test in a safe environment before deploying on production systems.
- Issues: GitHub Issues
- Discussions: GitHub Discussions
- Website: cryptobsidian.com (coming soon)
Made with 🌋 by the Cryptobsidian team
Forged under pressure. Hardened for privacy.