Software for Making Deleted Files Unrecoverable

[Guest Tristan]

What is the best software for completely erasing deleted files and making them unrecoverable? Can you get it at a store like Best Buy?

[Guest Les]

I use Eraser. It's freeware. You can download it here:

http://www.webattack.com/freeware/security/fwerase.shtml

[Flower]

Of course that is for a PC. If you have a Mac, just do a "clean sweep" using the Utility software that came with your computer. If you are sweeping for more important reasons than just selling your puter and not wanting the next buyer to have access, then sweep 2 or 3 times.

[Guest Tristan]

Les,

 

Thanks for your reply. I downloaded ERASER, which is a ZIP IE file.

When you open it, you get an Internet Exporer window with a lot of strange looking garbage. A counter on the bottom rapidly goes up to 8xxx, stops, and then I have nothing anywhere. I usually avoid ZIP files and am not sure I even have the program to open it. Do you know what's going on? Can you help?

 

Tristan

[Guest Les]

When you unzipped the zip file it should have opened a new folder containing the necessary setup files.(Is this the garbage you are refering to?)

In the new folder should be one file named setup. Click that and it should setup the Eraser.

This is for Windows not a Mac.

[Guest Tristan]

Les,

 

Yes, it's a PC with Windows 98. I have a file Eraser55Setup.zip as an Internet Explorer file. When I click on it, I get an IE window with a lot of binary looking stuff divided into pages and a counter on the bottom as already described. When the counter stops, I have nothing anywhere that indicates a successful installation. I do not have WinZip or any other Unzip program. Is this Zip file self-installing without having an Unzip program?

 

Tristan

[Guest Les]

I don't know what's happening on your computer and since you don't like to deal with zip files why don't you just delete the Eraser Zip file and select another program. Analog is an .exe and is also a very good program but lacks a few features.

[Guest Tristan]

I think the problem is that I don't have a Zip/Unzip program. Anyway, I agree. Better to go to an .EXE file.

 

Does Analog have the capability to wipe disk space and files already deleted? The desciption, unlike Eraser, only talks about wiping the file as you delete file(s). Perhaps, this was just omitted from the description.

 

Thanks for all your help with this.

 

Tristan

[Guest Les]

No AnalogX will not clean up your previously deleted files. Maybe you should try UltraWipe...be careful it's a very powerful program that can get away from you.

You could also check for BC Wipe. I used to use this when it was freeware. Excellent simple program.

http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/products.htm

[Guest Tristan]

Les, I will consider trying UltraWipe. I looked at BCWipe. It does seem very easy to use, but costs $39.95 including 1 yr of updates. So if UltraWipe looks too complicated, I'll just give in and purchase the other.

 

One last question. When you say UltraWipe can get away from you, are you referring to inadvertently deleting files you want or need?

 

Tristan

[+ Lucky]

"UltraWipe"

 

How soon before we see the tissue version?

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Home Depot

 

>This is for Windows not a Mac.

 

Sells this inexpensive and handy device called a blow torch which will wipe clean the hard drive of any computer and not even the CIA, FBI or any other agency would ever be able to recover any of your data.

[VaHawk]

RE: Home Depot

 

I believe it's market name is HOT HEAD???

[Huey]

There is no program that will work as you are requesting. I think one of the more funnier programs mentioned here is ultrawipe, aside from the name. Why would you need a year of updates if the program does what it claims it can do?

 

The ONLY way to be sure no files can be recovered is to reformat your hard drive and reinstall windows.

 

If you're using a MAC I haven't a clue :7

[Guest rx0]

Sorry to inject facts here, but, no, reformatting and reinstalling windows will not erase all data from a hard drive.