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Eraser for Windows

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 6.2.0.2993
  • 3.5

    (89)
  • Security Status

Fully erase data from your hardrive

When you empty files from the recycle bin, they are not securely deleted from your hard drive. It's possible to retrieve data that has been 'erased' in that way. Eraser deletes files properly and securely.

Eraser is very effective, but it's not easy to use when first opened. Clicking Erase Schedule will allow you to get started. First you choose a task type, and name if you like, from manual and immediate tasks to recurring ones. Then clicking Add Data will allow you to choose what you want to erase. That part is simple! Pick a file, folder, unused space or the recycle bin to erase and hit OK.

The speed of the erasing process depends on the size of the data being erased and the type of erasing being done. In settings, there's a huge list of erase options, including erase methods with impressive names like Gutman and US Air Force. Basically, the more 'passes' Eraser takes, the more securely erased the data is, and also the longer it takes. However, a weekly recycle bin erase won't take very long even if you use the most secure method.

The most useful feature of Eraser is scheduled erasing - it's great to have an automated daily or weekly scrub of your hard drive. If you are really paranoid, Eraser will even replace erased files with files of your choice to 'allow plausible deniability'. We hope no one would ever need such a feature, but it indicates how serious Eraser is about deletion!

Eraser isn't user friendly enough, but once you're used to it it's not complex, and a very helpful tool for ensuring your deleted data never ends up in the wrong hands!

Updated Italian translation

Changes

  • Updated Italian translation

Eraser is an advanced security tool (for Windows), which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. Works with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Windows 2003 Server and DOS.
Eraser is Free software and its source code is released under GNU General Public License.

The patterns used for overwriting are based on Peter Gutmann's paper "Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory" and they are selected to effectively remove magnetic remnants from the hard drive.

Other methods include the one defined in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual of the US Department of Defence and overwriting with pseudorandom data. You can also define your own overwriting methods.

PROS

  • Effective and deep deletion
  • Schedule automatic tasks
  • Simple once you know how!

CONS

  • Not instinctive
  • Big deletions can use lots of system resources

Program available in other languages


Eraser for PC

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 6.2.0.2993
  • 3.5

    (89)
  • Security Status


User reviews about Eraser

  • Mike P.

    by Mike P.

    For functionality, it's 10/10. I find the interface a bit contorted. The focus is on creating and scheduling tasks. Erasing a disk now and then seems  More

  • Anonymous

    by Anonymous

    Looks good, don't work.
    I've tried to use Eraser for two year now and finally the developer
    make the mistake of dising Windows 7 because hi More


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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.