Sandy, There are a number of ways in which you can set up *your* machine to self-destruct. The best way to accomplish this is through Perry's suggestion of a regular security check to which you must reply or the PILL is activated. If all you are concerned about is private mail or the like, a simple batch wipe file would work (hide the wipe program). Putting any prompt at boot and turning off obvious ways of defeating *your* security will help. Not to start everyone flaming, but there is nothing wrong with destroying your own computer thru infamous combinations of interrupt hooks and the like (was that cryptic enough to avoid a virii flame?) --Matt ______________________________________________________________________________ "This new technology (the printing press) threatened the Crown, which shuddered at the thought of widespread dissemination of works advocating religious heresy and political upheaval. The Crown's solution to the problem was a system of regulation designed to control this "dangerous" art." -From my Copyright Law Text (refrencing the Statute of Anne - the first Copyright Statute) (c)1993 ______________________/___________________________________mjmiski@macc.wisc.edu