Good Data Shredding Software?

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Hello,

As the title says really! Can anyone recommend any good 'Free' data shredding software?

I need to clean a few hard drives before we get rid of them.

Thanks,

Paul

 

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low level formatting should do the trick, but not sure of any free ones...

 

I've heard formatting only removes the file index and that the files are only deleted when they get written over with more data, leaving the potential to recover them with the appropriate resources. Is there any truth to this?

If not then formatting will do.

Paul

 

thats high level format e.g. format from a boot disk, whereas low level is meant to be the dogs bo77ocks but now sure how this works...

 

You haven't been able to 'low level' format a drive for many years.

If you need more than the quick format because it doesn't actualy write to the whole disk then deselect 'quick' in the format panel. It should then write over every sector.

If you need *more* security than that (it depends on what data these disks had) then you need a proper piece of software.

Do a google search for "data scrubbers".

Harry.

 

This link should help.

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page5726.cfm

 

Good article that!

Harry.

 

Hi Stoney - This well rated, and free
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

 

You can still low level hardrives, go to Maxtor's website and download the free Maxblast, you'll need a floppy drive to use it, it runs off the back of Caldera Dos, you have a few options the one you will need is "Full Low Level Format" this writes a series of 1's and 0's to your hardrive and takes quite a while to complete. You can also look for an app called "Claviscom Shredder" uses the "Peter Gutman" method of data erasure which is basically writing over 35 times with a non specific pattern and is supposed to be the best way to ensure erasure.

Hth

Steve.L

 

Try PC Optimizer Pro. It contains a powerful file Shredder with some good options to overwrite the files. Best of Luck.

 

I've never tried, but would a linux livecd work with commands like:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda (or whatever the hard drive is)
then something like
dd if=dev/random of=/dev/sda

 

http://www.blancco.com/eng/home/

http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/zerodata.htm

both of these are good but you do have to buy them

 

Or roadkils diskwipe might be another option

http://www.roadkil.net/listing.php?Category=7

 

Hi, I don't know a free one but you can download a free trial for this one- EgisTec Shredder. Its very easy to use and a simple software but at least I can be assured my privacy won't be compromised. Here is the link:

http://www.egistec.com/members/promoredir.asp?url=http://www.egistec.com/products/shredder.html&ID=7

 

Another vote for Darik's Boot and Nuke.

Its free and easy to use.

I use this to wipe disks at work before they go for disposal.

 

wow. necroposted no less than twice. impressive.