Free space

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by TVH, Aug 24, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. TVH

    TVH Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2007
    Posts:
    227
    Could someone recommend the best application for wiping free space please. Ive used windows washer to wipe free space, but im not sure how effective it is. Are there any recommened programs?
     
  2. Climenole

    Climenole Look 'n' Stop Expert

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2005
    Posts:
    1,637
  3. TVH

    TVH Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2007
    Posts:
    227
    DBAN would wipe out the entire drive. I only want something to remove any remnants of deleted data by wiping out free space. ill try out eraser though.

    Anyone else got any recommendations? Not worried about price.
     
  4. FadeAway

    FadeAway Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2007
    Posts:
    270
    Location:
    USA
    Another vote for Eraser. Been using version 5.7 on XP for a long time
    with complete satisfaction.
     
  5. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Posts:
    23,933
    Location:
    UK
    I had a friend who set eraser to wipe all empty space on the drive instead of files. As it overwrote all the unused space, system restore deleted restore points to compensate as the free space disappeared.

    Result was at the end all her restore points were gone.
     
  6. tradetime

    tradetime Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Posts:
    1,000
    Location:
    UK
  7. Carver

    Carver Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2006
    Posts:
    1,910
    Location:
    USA
    Another Vote for Eraser, I have been using Eraser 5.7 for years with complete satisfaction.

    I am trying this one http://www.pointstone.com/products/TotalPrivacy/ , I was looking for a all in one application to wipe everything at once. Version 5.3 Doesnt wipe Firefox and Opera as well as it does IE, it has different options(much less) in Firefox and Opera and I have doubts about the shredder for free space it goes to fast to do a good job erasing. I use DOD 7 pass for freespace, at that setting it takes 18 hours for Eraser 7 for Total privacy so something is fishy.The plugins for cleaning other programs doesn't work. I am going to ask for a refund. It is a 15 day trail, but very limited, I had to buy it inorder to unlock 3/4 of the features.
    I'm sorry for going on and on about this.
     
  8. FadeAway

    FadeAway Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2007
    Posts:
    270
    Location:
    USA
    Using one pass of pseudorandom data to do a free space wipe on my
    7200 rpm drives takes a bit less than one minute per GB with Eraser.
    That includes cluster tips.
     
  9. farmerlee

    farmerlee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2006
    Posts:
    2,585
    East tec eraser works well, i got it as a freebie on giveawayoftheday.com a little while back, very handy!
     
  10. caspian

    caspian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Posts:
    2,363
    Location:
    Oz
  11. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2003
    Posts:
    3,336
    Location:
    Location Unknown
    Is there anything this app can do that the freeware combination of Ccleaner and Eraser cannot do?
     
  12. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    I have tried it, but even at one-pass it seems so slloowwwww.
     
  13. Doc Serenity

    Doc Serenity Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Posts:
    105
    I used Paragon Software's version of a secure eraser on a hard drive that I wanted to do a clean install on.
    After 8 hours of waiting I was able to do the clean install and found some of my old settings were sitting there waiting for me.
    My own opinion is to stay away from Paragon. Their support never bothered to respond to my help request.
    Good luck.
    Doc
     
  14. Carver

    Carver Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2006
    Posts:
    1,910
    Location:
    USA
    Update on my earler post. I just received another email from Pointstone, Saying that my Refund will be issued shortly they also want to know what version of Opera I use. Emails before that centered on them trying to blame Opera or something I did to Opera like Opera Browser just came out last month or something. I don't trust these people to do what they say they are going to do, which is to send me a refund. So stay away from http://www.pointstone.com/products/TotalPrivacy/ too.
     
  15. TVH

    TVH Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2007
    Posts:
    227
    Thanks for your help. I still cant decide though lol. I think im going to go with cyberscrub priacy suite (its identical to east-tec eraser and has the functions im looking for.)
     
  16. caspian

    caspian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Posts:
    2,363
    Location:
    Oz
    It does far more. You can try it free for two weeks.
     
  17. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2003
    Posts:
    3,336
    Location:
    Location Unknown
    I'm guessing, by the vagueness of your statement, that you can't really tell me why this is better than the comination of CCleaner and Eraser. Unfortunately, I've installed this previously, I guess, because it says that my trial has run out but I've never used it.
     
  18. caspian

    caspian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Posts:
    2,363
    Location:
    Oz
    I have not used eraser in a long time so I do not know if it has changed much. I use Ccleaner constantly to delete cookies etc But if I want to wipe something thoroughly, I use R-Wipe.

    You can wipe free space with several options. You have a choice of all Zeros, psuedo random, DoD 5220.22-M 3, DoD 5220.22-M 7, and Guttman 35. Then it goes over MFT on NTFS to wipe any info about files that are left behind.

    I can right click on a file or folder and wipe them also with the above options.

    It has other options. For one, your can wipe (not just delete) IE temp files, cookies, history, typed urls, stored text in forms, passwords in forms, stored web passwords, flash player cookies, and java files. You can wipe these with 3 passes, 7 passes etc... You can wipe them individually or collectively.

    Here are other options:

    Firefox: temp files, cookies, history, autocomplete, downloads, goodle search, yahoo search

    Opera: temp files etc..

    System: Open file hisory, recent documents, system registry traces, MFU registry traces, Temp files documents, system temp files, recycle bin, clip board, invalid shorcuts, aux temp files, windows event logs, recent network folders, windows firewall log, prefetch traces, defragmentation list, stored explorewr view settiings, cached icons, cached fonts, cached GDI+ fonts, windows update logs, security management logs, stored network passwords

    Application Traces: adobe reader, backup utility, divx player, fax console, infraview, jasc, microsoft (excel and word and others), netmeeting, outlook, paint, remote desktop connection, windows media player, W movie maker, and word pad, and any other programs that you have installed

    You can also create wipe lists
     
  19. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2003
    Posts:
    3,336
    Location:
    Location Unknown
    Ccleaner now has the ability to secure erase files (3 or 7 pass). Also, you can use Eraser context menu entries to secure eraser individual files and/or folders.
     
  20. caspian

    caspian Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Posts:
    2,363
    Location:
    Oz
    That's great but that just scratches the surface of what I mentioned above.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.