Metadata removal tool
Encyclopedia
Metadata removal tool or Metadata scrubber is a type of privacy software
built to protect the privacy
of its users by removing potentially privacy-compromising metadata
from files before they are shared with others (e.g. by sending them as e-mail attachment
s or by posting them on the Web
).
Metadata can be found in many types of files such as document
s, spreadsheet
s, presentation
s, image
s, and audio
files. They can include information such as details on the file authors, file creation and modification dates, document revision history, and comments.
Since metadata is sometimes not clearly visible in authoring applications (depending on the application and its settings), there is a risk that the user will be unaware of its existence or will forget about it and, if the file is shared, private or confidential information will inadvertently be exposed. The purpose of metadata removal tools is to minimize the risk of such data leakage.
The metadata removal tools that exist today can be divided into four groups:
Privacy software
Privacy software is software built to protect the privacy of its users. The software typically works in conjunction with Internet usage to control or limit the amount of information made available to third-parties. The software can apply encryption or filtering of various kinds.Privacy software can...
built to protect the privacy
Privacy
Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively...
of its users by removing potentially privacy-compromising metadata
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
from files before they are shared with others (e.g. by sending them as e-mail attachment
E-mail attachment
An email attachment is a computer file sent along with an email message. One or more files can be attached to any email message, and be sent along with it to the recipient. This is typically used as a simple method to share documents and images...
s or by posting them on the Web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
).
Metadata can be found in many types of files such as document
Document
The term document has multiple meanings in ordinary language and in scholarship. WordNet 3.1. lists four meanings :* document, written document, papers...
s, spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
s, presentation
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
s, image
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
s, and audio
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
files. They can include information such as details on the file authors, file creation and modification dates, document revision history, and comments.
Since metadata is sometimes not clearly visible in authoring applications (depending on the application and its settings), there is a risk that the user will be unaware of its existence or will forget about it and, if the file is shared, private or confidential information will inadvertently be exposed. The purpose of metadata removal tools is to minimize the risk of such data leakage.
The metadata removal tools that exist today can be divided into four groups:
- Integral metadata removal tools, which are included in some applications, like the Document Inspector in Microsoft Office 2007Microsoft Office 2007Microsoft Office 2007 is a Windows version of the Microsoft Office System, Microsoft's productivity suite. Formerly known as Office 12 in the initial stages of its beta cycle, it was released to volume license customers on November 30, 2006 and made available to retail customers on January 30, 2007...
. - Batch metadata removal tools, which can process multiple files.
- E-mail client add-ins, which are designed to remove metadata from e-mail attachments just before they are sent.
- Server based systems, which are designed to automatically remove metadata at the network gateway.