Disk file deletion - total data removal

[Jephatrye]

I want to erase a file that holds sensitive information so that if my PC is
stolen there is no way this information can be recovered. I have read of
utilities that will completely erase a disk but have not yet come across one
that can be used selectively for an individual file. I am using Windows XP
Home.

Can anyone help, please?

 

[DL]

The utilities write, typically 0's to the hd free space
There are also file shredder utilities.

 

[Don Schmidt]

I use BC Wipe which meets Department of Defense file shredding
specification. When you right click on a file you wish to delete you can
select "Delete with wiping".

http://www.jetico.com/

Modestly priced.

 

[JS]

Use 'Eraser': http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

You can select one or multiple files and the type of erase to be performed.

JS

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Eraser http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/ is the one I use most often.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Singapore Web Design]

Hello,

....and Eraser is free

--
Singapore Web Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ

 

[Singapore Web Design]

Hello,

....and Eraser is free

--
Singapore Web Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ

 

[Jephatrye]

Many thanks to all who have given me advice on this problem. I am now
confident that I can secure my PC adequately against theft.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You're Welcome, Jephatyre.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Tim DeBarbora]

I hope the below methods helps to answer your questions.

Method 1:
SDelete v1.5.1 is a command line tool build for windows NT systems and uses
a DOD delete standard for removing files this can be downloaded here
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897443.aspx

from a command line use:
sdelete -p 60 -s -q <file or directory>

The program was originally written for Windows NT/2000 and I have found it
works well if you up the number of passes when using it on an XP box.

Method 2: Opening a file with hex editor can be a quick and easy way to
erase or zero out data in a single file. You can download a free hex editor
from http://www.softcircuits.com/cygnus/fe/. Once installed you can go to
file > open select the file you wish to erase. When the application opens
the file a sting of hex will appear you can than highlight all the files hex
content, select edit, delete, and click save. This will blank out the files
data and it can than be safely deleted.

Method 3: You can move the file to a virtual encrypted disk file (a single
file stored on your hard drive that acts as a disk partition) password
protect it and than delete the virtual disk this way if the virtual disk
file is recovered the contents of it will still be encrypted.

I recommend using truecrypt as it has a Varity of different encryption
algorithms. Truecrypt is a free open source utility that can be downloaded
from here http://www.truecrypt.org/


Timothy DeBarbora