luv2bsecure
September 20th, 2002, 04:47 AM
Hello everyone!
I have been reading the thread on UltraWipe and became curious. I had heard of Red Strike, but not this program. I downloaded it yesterday and spent about two-hours with it.
It's awful.
Here is their description of their DOD Standard Wipe:
U.S D.O.D 5220.22-M Standard, defined in the US National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual of the US Department of Defense (January 1995; chapter 8, section 3, 8-306. Maintenance).
Data is overwritten seven times to all addressable locations:
Pass***Data
1***A random character, n = [0, 255]
2***A random character, n
3***Complement of previous character, ~n
4***A random character, n
5***A random character, n
6***Complement of previous character, ~n
7***A random character, n
Okay, sounds good....They also have what they call a DOD+:
The third wiping scheme employed by the UltraWipe utility, designated as the DoD+, was conceived in order to effectively overwrite and to alter the magnetic polarity of each domain on the disk platter as much as possible so it will be impossible to determine their previous state. The program’s multiple overwrite capabilities (up to seven times) erases files completely by using pseudorandom number generator. The D.o.D+ pseudo-random data scheme, (created with pseudo-random number generator) is made in random order. This overwriting method is recommend for maximum security.
It all sounds good, huh?
Except that it failed the "File Recovery Pro" test miserably.
Every single file I erased, using both "shredding" methods were easily recovered - including the entire Temporary Internet Files folder.
This always upsets me because as far as I am concerned, whether it is free or not, (as UltraWipe is) a security/privacy tool should do exactly what it says it will do. False security and programs like this breed paranoia. Am I safe - or am I not? To give someone false security with their hard drives is akin to selling a dead bolt lock that opens with ease from the outside while everything looks right from the inside, and all inside feel safe and protected. False security is cruel and inexcusable. Unfortunately, programs like this are all over the web.
HOWEVER, yes, you can feel secure. There are good programs available and all of the good tools do the job and do it well. So well in fact, that the never ending search for something "better" is of no value. You really do get what you pay for in many of these "erasing cleaners".....If you cannot afford one of the 3 or 4 truly quality tools - then get Sami Tolvanen's ERASER and configure it manually (it's easy, just takes some time) to wipe everything all the others do.
But, UltraWipe? I was embarrassed for the people offering this. It is clearly the worst I have ever tested. My recommendation? Delete - Delete - Delete and stick with proven products. Cleaning utilities of this type are one of those software utilities that must be just right -- or it's worthless.
The view from here is that UltraWipe is indeed ---- worthless.
It's been a long day and a late night. Time to crash.
Best to all,
John
Luv2BSecure
I have been reading the thread on UltraWipe and became curious. I had heard of Red Strike, but not this program. I downloaded it yesterday and spent about two-hours with it.
It's awful.
Here is their description of their DOD Standard Wipe:
U.S D.O.D 5220.22-M Standard, defined in the US National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual of the US Department of Defense (January 1995; chapter 8, section 3, 8-306. Maintenance).
Data is overwritten seven times to all addressable locations:
Pass***Data
1***A random character, n = [0, 255]
2***A random character, n
3***Complement of previous character, ~n
4***A random character, n
5***A random character, n
6***Complement of previous character, ~n
7***A random character, n
Okay, sounds good....They also have what they call a DOD+:
The third wiping scheme employed by the UltraWipe utility, designated as the DoD+, was conceived in order to effectively overwrite and to alter the magnetic polarity of each domain on the disk platter as much as possible so it will be impossible to determine their previous state. The program’s multiple overwrite capabilities (up to seven times) erases files completely by using pseudorandom number generator. The D.o.D+ pseudo-random data scheme, (created with pseudo-random number generator) is made in random order. This overwriting method is recommend for maximum security.
It all sounds good, huh?
Except that it failed the "File Recovery Pro" test miserably.
Every single file I erased, using both "shredding" methods were easily recovered - including the entire Temporary Internet Files folder.
This always upsets me because as far as I am concerned, whether it is free or not, (as UltraWipe is) a security/privacy tool should do exactly what it says it will do. False security and programs like this breed paranoia. Am I safe - or am I not? To give someone false security with their hard drives is akin to selling a dead bolt lock that opens with ease from the outside while everything looks right from the inside, and all inside feel safe and protected. False security is cruel and inexcusable. Unfortunately, programs like this are all over the web.
HOWEVER, yes, you can feel secure. There are good programs available and all of the good tools do the job and do it well. So well in fact, that the never ending search for something "better" is of no value. You really do get what you pay for in many of these "erasing cleaners".....If you cannot afford one of the 3 or 4 truly quality tools - then get Sami Tolvanen's ERASER and configure it manually (it's easy, just takes some time) to wipe everything all the others do.
But, UltraWipe? I was embarrassed for the people offering this. It is clearly the worst I have ever tested. My recommendation? Delete - Delete - Delete and stick with proven products. Cleaning utilities of this type are one of those software utilities that must be just right -- or it's worthless.
The view from here is that UltraWipe is indeed ---- worthless.
It's been a long day and a late night. Time to crash.
Best to all,
John
Luv2BSecure