Disk Redactor; does it work?

[Nog Onsigbare]

Just downloaded a free version of Disk Redactor; it's supposed to erase deleted files from the hard drive; or more specifically it overwrites the free space on the hard drive with zero's, making the files impossible to read.
Because apparently when you delete a file it does not delete the actual content of the file but only the pathway or directory to the file, and leo has technology to recover these files.

Anybody using this or something similar, and is it foolproof?

 

[BrnCow]

Sledge hammer works just fine...

 

[stc9357]

Just downloaded a free version of Disk Redactor; it's supposed to erase deleted files from the hard drive; or more specifically it overwrites the free space on the hard drive with zero's, making the files impossible to read.
Because apparently when you delete a file it does not delete the actual content of the file but only the pathway or directory to the file, and leo has technology to recover these files.

Anybody using this or something similar, and is it foolproof?

You need an industrial version doubt that is I'll get back to you tomorrow.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

I just rub the surface of my hard drive with bacon. Works great!

 

[jonnybgood29]

i use ccleaner, it is free and it will do a guttman pass erase which is 35 passes of different data streams fully erasing any unwanted info from the blank spaces of your drive

 

[Nog Onsigbare]

use ccleaner, it is free and it will do a guttman pass erase which is 35 passes of different data streams fully erasing any unwanted info from the blank spaces of your drive
__________________

I think ccleaner only deletes your browsing history and temporary internet files and stuff like that.
I don't think it erases or overwrites your hard drive.

 

[foaf]

ccleaner is a must have program. you should run the history/cookie/clipboard before you leave a computer you have been drug browsing on. and it has tools to clean free space, wipe the entire drive, and safe delete. but for wiping the whole drive in a crisis, there are better programs.

 

[Dawn Patrol]

If you need to wipe an entire drive for security reasons or just to wipe and reload your O/S, search for an image of Boot N Nuke. Lots of options and its free. Doesn't work on just the free space though, nukes the whole drive.

 

[supermanlives]

i used to use bc wipe.worked good

 

[whatsupdoc]

DBAN (http://www.dban.org/)
or
Sledgehammer

Both, to be sure.

 

[MaynardG_Krebs]

Sledge hammer works just fine...

Extra large cobalt rare earth magnets work too!

mgk

 

[Capt.Ahab]

I dragged my old desk top computer out to the back forty and put a couple AK mags through it.
Poor thing was smoking and looked like Swiss cheese. Fun and effective.

My last lap top that died got sent to Davy Jones' locker out to George's Bank .

 

[walt cunningham]

Extra large cobalt rare earth magnets work too!

mgk

magnets work best!

 

[whatsupdoc]

Back up in your ass with the resurrection...

 

[BrnCow]

I dragged my old desk top computer out to the back forty and put a couple AK mags through it.
Poor thing was smoking and looked like Swiss cheese. Fun and effective.

My last lap top that died got sent to Davy Jones' locker out to George's Bank .

God I love shooting computers ....get even with the cranky bastards...lol

 

[FlowerFarmer]

I second the DBAN. www.dban.org

Its what we always used when I was in the industry.

 

[growcodile]

use truecrypt to fully crypt your system drive and you wont have to worry about the file (non)deletion issue anymore ..

 

[Nog Onsigbare]

Yeah, well I have been running the Disk Redactor every now and then, probably run it six times so far.
I read in the paper once that a guy around here got raided for growing and the cops used harvest records on his computer as evidence in court.
Didn't say anything in the paper about him having plants and I would imagine that if they found plants they wouldn't bother with computer records to build a circumstantial case.
But I will download that DBan just for good measure, hopefully they have a free version and it works, as I don't like paying for things.

 

[_Dude]

Growcodile is correct. If you use good encryption software, you won't need to worry about whether something is deleted or not.

From what I read, the anxiety over whether something is deleted or not is way overblown. I've read about more than a few cases where all they could recover was a fragment, but on the other hand that's often enough for LEO to make their case. But I'm talking about people who just deleted and emptied the recycle bin.

Users who do their research and find a good data shredder and use it properly are not likely to see any of their deleted data recovered in any practical sense.

I don't know if Redactor qualifies. Do your own research is my advice on that. I recommend trying to find open source software for this kind of thing.