Permanent data erase software.

[whatson]

Hi!

I'm copying my backups on my friends Laptop. I backup quite important data, so I don't want my friend to somehow restore it (undelete programs etc.).

Is there any software, that erases data from HD in the way that data can't be restored?

Thanks-

 

[mechBgon]

If the laptop has Windows2000 Pro or Windows XP Professional, then you can use the cipher feature. Start > Run > cipher.exe /w:C:\ (exactly as shown, there is no space between w: and C:\). This fills the vacant space on the hard drive with three layers of EFS-encrypted junk data and then deletes it all. So an undelete utility would be trying to see past three layers of encrypted junk. You can do this while using the system, it just runs in the background until it's done.

 

[WildHorse]

mechBgon: Hey that's a new trick to me. THank you for that!

whatson: My original comment here is removed, based on Slick5150's post below.

 

[Slick5150]

Yes, but DBAN erases EVERYTHING on the hard drive, so your friend might get annoyed that you've wiped out all of his stuff too.

There's a program called Digital File Shredder Pro that has a "Shred Free Disk Space" mode, which rights junk over all of the free space on the drive so that you can't restore any of it.

 

[eelw]

Even with multipass freespace wipes, data can still be retrieved. Yes, not with standard consumer based file recovery program, but it is possible with professional based tools. Why do you think the British intelligence grind any storage media and then store the dust in a underground bunker.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: eelw
Even with multipass freespace wipes, data can still be retrieved. Yes, not with standard consumer based file recovery program, but it is possible with professional based tools. Why do you think the British intelligence grind any storage media and then store the dust in a underground bunker.

Because they are idiots?

They should do like the American military and dump the hard drives in an incinerator.