Ok guys, I've just about loaded everything needed on the new system. Now I want to remove everything on my old system. (Esp. those bikini thread pictures I copied). What is a good / fast / free (or not) software for shredding files and empty space (already deleted files) so they can never ever, ever, ever, be retrieved? I used one before that took three days to go through the drive. There has to be a quicker way.
You need an eraser with a military wipe feature. What it does is erases the current data, re-writes it with all zeros or ones and erases it again and then does it all over again. http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php Download.com might have some free trials Search = Disk Wipe
Paranoid much? Usually only governments are into this stuff. Speaking of which, consider BCWipe - used by DoD and DoE: http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/bcwipe.htm
It's not being paranoid if someones' really after you (looking over my shoulder) LOL I just like to be careful. There are definitely people interested in prying for information. I choose to make it just a bit harder. Have you guys used these programs? Any good?
Yes, I've wiped some drives for Intel as they sold off their old stuff with that software, it's straightforward software and delivers the results. Look, if you are concerned about snoops with hard disk utilies or rouge FBI agents with their hard disk forensic data extraction kit... they ARE NOT going to be able to read anything!
Probably nothing. All I know is... everyone around the world is into the data spy business to steal money, and they don't care who it is. I'm just speculating, but if Eric has some data that could lead to a multiple six or seven figure bank accounts including passwords, it could be disasterous.
If this is a spare PC now, why not re-format the disc? It'll clear all the images and a clean new OS install is nice. I re-format hard drives running MS once a year. Seriously speeds things up.
I made a mistake by saying "everything". The program you suggested looks real good to do that. I want to keep the OS and program files on the computer. I want to DOD overwrite the empty space (erased files) and future deleted data files. Secureclean might do it. I'm still reading about it.
Just take the hard drive out, and take off any jewelry, and place the hard drive onto a large electromagnet. You won't have any problems with people getting your data off the hd then. But, if you still want to use the hard drive after wiping it... this isn't the method for you. And the hatchet method mentioned earlier is particularly satisfying as well... and trust me hit it as hard as you can.
G4's Call for Help had a free one profiled the other day. Can write zeros up to 30x over the offending file. I'll try to find it. RMX
Disk Drives are CHEAP, if you are that worried about it, take it out, put a new one in the system and keep the old one for "backup" purposes or as someone else already said, smash it.
I second the new HD comments.. it's also just nice to start with a fresh sheet. I use Windows Washer, which has a function that can erase and re-write the HD completely, or just provide a daily clean-up of useless temp files, recycle bin, etc. You can select a couple of different shred & bleach options (all the way up to 35x delete and re-write if you're really paranoid). http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/windowwasher/ C.
I thought it was a *bit* extreme too. If I have to do that to my HD I probably have bigger things to worry about.. like paying off the Neverland Ranch staff. C.
I believe reformatting just rewrites the FAT. The actual data is still on the HD sectors, which could be recovered by someone with too much time on their hands. If someone is really paranoid, they should use software to wipe the disk, then take a hammer to it, remove the platters, and use a grinder to remove the magnetic coating.
Yeah what the hell I'll post this pic again, I'm not tired of it yet. I use this: Image Unavailable, Please Login
