[SOLVED] Eraser versus delete

littleones · 08-15-2007, 09:13 PM

Possibly, I do not understand the full function of a software like Eraser, but if someone could assist me in answering the following question, I would appreciate it.

With accessing the Internet, installing/deinstalling software, picking up malware, etc., I have a question: Would there be any advantage to using Eraser for the items in my Recycle Bin versus simply deleting the content?

tetonbob · 08-15-2007, 09:36 PM

Read more about Heidi's Eraser here:

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

Yes, it's more secure than simply deleting a file or emptying the recycle bin.

A brief excerpt:

Quote:

Your first thought may be that when you 'delete' the file, the data is gone. Not quite, when you delete a file, the operating system does not really remove the file from the disk; it only removes the reference of the file from the file system table. The file remains on the disk until another file is created over it, and even after that, it might be possible to recover data by studying the magnetic fields on the disk platter surface.

littleones · 08-15-2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the website reference and your explanation.

John

08-16-2007, 10:32 AM

Yes, especially with sensitive info like bank records personal stuff, etc etc... I usually do 7 pass wipe with eraser on my sensitive info. People claim all the time that gov's can recover info even after it has been written over with 1's 0's and random data but no one has ever proven that they actually can with any great success, so even one pass with random data is pretty powerful deterrent imo, until someone shows some concrete proof.

littleones · 08-16-2007, 10:40 AM

Thank you, Chin. It's good to have another confirmation.

John

tetonbob · 08-16-2007, 02:13 PM

LOL, for truly sensitive data, the best way is this:

In other words, open the hdd, and smash the pretty little disks.

08-15-2007, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
littleones Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 51 OS: First computer: Vista Ultimate. Second computer: XP Pro SP2	[SOLVED] Eraser versus delete Possibly, I do not understand the full function of a software like Eraser, but if someone could assist me in answering the following question, I would appreciate it. With accessing the Internet, installing/deinstalling software, picking up malware, etc., I have a question: Would there be any advantage to using Eraser for the items in my Recycle Bin versus simply deleting the content?

08-15-2007, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
littleones Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 51 OS: First computer: Vista Ultimate. Second computer: XP Pro SP2	Re: Eraser versus delete Thanks for the website reference and your explanation. John

08-16-2007, 10:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
chin Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Re: [SOLVED] Eraser versus delete Yes, especially with sensitive info like bank records personal stuff, etc etc... I usually do 7 pass wipe with eraser on my sensitive info. People claim all the time that gov's can recover info even after it has been written over with 1's 0's and random data but no one has ever proven that they actually can with any great success, so even one pass with random data is pretty powerful deterrent imo, until someone shows some concrete proof.

08-16-2007, 10:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
littleones Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 51 OS: First computer: Vista Ultimate. Second computer: XP Pro SP2	Re: [SOLVED] Eraser versus delete Thank you, Chin. It's good to have another confirmation. John

08-16-2007, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
tetonbob Manager, Security Center, TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Transylvania County, North Carolina, USA Posts: 35,635 OS: 2000 Pro; XP Pro; XP Home	Re: [SOLVED] Eraser versus delete LOL, for truly sensitive data, the best way is this: In other words, open the hdd, and smash the pretty little disks. __________________ Practice Safe Surfing PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need? Because what you don't know, CAN hurt you. Proud Member of ASAP since 2005 Proud Member of UNITE since 2006 Microsoft MVP - Consumer Security 2009