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Wipe File Offers Custom Levels of Deletion Paranoia
Posted by Kevin Purdy at 12:41 AM on June 10, 2008
Windows only: Secure file deletion utility Wipe File is a one-purpose program that lets you choose how many times a file on your hard drive is erased, written over, then deleted over and over. The convenience comes in its ability to run from its own folder on a thumb drive, as well as the options you have for deletion cycles, with notations as to what various agencies (like the Department of Defence or NATO) use as their standards. The program is German native, but head to the Extras menu to switch it over to English. Wipe File is a free download for Windows systems only; check out Wipe Disc if you're looking for whole-sale erasure for a computer or drive transfer.
Tags: erase | hard drives | organise | privacy | security | wipe file
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
interficio
Posted 3:11 AM 10/6/08
This looks like an interesting alternative to Eraser, although I'll stick with the (slightly) more interestingly named program. I mean, "Wipe File"?!? No one can do better than that?
interficio
checkit
Posted 3:07 AM 10/6/08
Hmm... what's the difference between Wipe File and Eraser ([www.heidi.ie])?
checkit
darkdantedevil
Posted 2:54 AM 10/6/08
Sorry for the double comment if it occurs but:
Is this not very similar to Bood &Nuke? And am I the only one who like a boot cd a LOT more than a windows only app?
darkdantedevil
darkdantedevil
Posted 2:47 AM 10/6/08
Isn't boot and nuke very similar? I like the boot cd (Of boot and nuke) and I much prefer it to any windows app :(
darkdantedevil
Lazarus
Posted 4:52 AM 10/6/08
I prefer the more secure method of EMPing my box then microwaving my hard drive in the event that my office is taken over by hostile foreign agencies. Theres no way theyre getting my pr0n! Take that you commie invaders!
Lazarus
AskTheAdmin
Posted 4:11 AM 10/6/08
Digital_Pirate is correct those boot cd's mentioned above will securely wipe your entire hard drive while this will allow you to not only delete a file but overwrite it multiple times to make sure it's gone fo' sure.
They spoke about NATO and gubment agencies real people can use this to cover their tracks. Nowadays an 11 year old kid can resurrect erased files off your machine!
AskTheAdmin
Digital_Pirate
Posted 3:54 AM 10/6/08
The difference between this and Boot and Nuke is that DBAN is meant for an entire hard drive the is meant individual files.
Digital_Pirate
Digital_Pirate
Posted 8:16 AM 10/6/08
@ Lazarus How do you EMP a box quickly and safely ?
Digital_Pirate
glitch1138
Posted 9:58 AM 10/6/08
@Digital_Pirate: backpack nuke. You'll need to make sure you're in a different city first.
glitch1138
mrknowitall
Posted 3:32 PM 10/6/08
I like Eraser [www.heidi.ie] it integrates nicely into Windows and allows you to delete individual files or folders in a jiffy.
mrknowitall
osafw
Posted 3:45 PM 10/6/08
Eraser tops Wipe File in almost every feature.
[open-source.onestop.net]
Eraser Features:
Works with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP (32/64),Vista (32/64), Windows Server 2003 and DOS. It works with any drive including IDE, SCSI and RAID, and CD-RW's.
Uses the Guttmann (Default), Pseudorandom Data and US DoD 5220-22.M methods.
Erases Files and Folders.
Erases Files/Folders that were only previously 'deleted'.
Erases all hard drives using 'Darik's Boot and Nuke' method.
Erases Index.dat on Reboot
Erases Encrypted Files and Drives.
Erases FreeSpace on 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and DOS.
Erases contents of the Recycle Bin.
Erases Compressed Files and Drives.
Erases Network Files, Floppy Disks, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW.
Erases Windows Temporary Files.
Erases Internet Cookies.
Erases Paging (swap) file.
Erases Internet Cache.
Appears as an 'Erase' option on the Context Menu of Windows Explorer and Recycle Bin.
Comes with an Eraser Scheduler that allows you to create user-defined tasks.
Defeats File Recovery software applications Hardware tools.
Supports FAT32 and NTFS Files Systems.
osafw
screaminscott
Posted 12:40 AM 11/6/08
I've had problems with Eraser when using it to wipe free space on both my home and work PC.
It tends to corrupt some files, especially photos. The file size goes to zero kilobytes and the file is unrecoverable.
It might work for others, but I won't be using it again.
screaminscott
osafw
Posted 4:33 PM 11/6/08
Screaminscott, could you tell me how yu used Eraser to wipe free space on the drive? Also how the free space was created and how eraser was activated on the free space? It might help us in understanding its beahvior and help in resolving future issues similar to this. Thanks
osafw
Bogus1983
Posted 1:53 AM 10/6/08
Can you use wipe disc if you only have one drive? For example, if I wanted to nuke the hdd on my laptop before resigning from a job. Or, I wonder if it'd run from a thumb drive.
Bogus1983
EdgeRider289
Posted 8:42 AM 11/6/08
I haven't had any problems with Eraser and the windows integration is very useful. I find I use it more often because of how accessible it is.
Choose your erasing method wisely - especially when wiping free space. It can take a ton of time to complete.
EdgeRider289
screaminscott
Posted 6:11 AM 13/6/08
I just scheduled a new On-Demand task to erase "unused dick space" on my C: drive. I used the one-pass pseudorandom data method.
Then I ran it.
Thats about all. I didn't see any error messages or anything.
I was using eraser version 5.7 on my work Laptop. I don't remember the version at home.
screaminscott