So
if you’re a Windows user and you deleted a file and emptied the Recycle Bin,
chances are someone else can recover this file by using the free and paid
recovery tools. When you delete a file, the Windows is just told that the space
the file had can be overwritten when required. In this case any free tool can
be used to recover private files you wanted to be deleted completely.
If
a file is deleted and is overwritten by another file, it will be almost
impossible to recover it, unless the one who is recovering such a file is
professionally skilled. This usually happens when you sell your PC/Laptop to
someone else. In such cases, what you should do is ‘wiping all your data’ from
your hard drive.
Luckily
there are tools available that can be used to wipe and completely erase all
your hard drive data. We will be listing 5 Top Data Deleting/Wiping tools that
will remove/delete files from your Hard Drive completely, and make it
impossible for someone to recover them.
HardWipe
I liked this software very much because it offers
different types of erasing methods which are 1. Wiping content of Recycle bin.
2. Wiping the drive or a volume completely & shredding the files and
folders. You can use the portable version and can install it too. What annoyed
me were the ads in its main window, and if you don’t like the ads, you can
spend 8.99 dollars and upgrade it. It has six different algorithms to choose
from. It also has the ability to rename a file 10 times, which will decrease
its chances of being found for recovery. It has speed mode which can help the
responsiveness of system. There is also option for auto power off once the
wiping process is completed.
CyberShredder
It’s a small but useful tool, for which you will have
to enable the “confirm file deletion” option in the Settings menu. If you don’t
enable this option, any file you drop into its window will be erased and wiped
immediately. The shredding methods are Very Quick (a single zero pass), Quick (a 3 pass of 0’s, 1’s then
random) and Normal (an NSA approved 7 pass). Files are also renamed
automatically during shredding, reducing their chances of being recovered by
the pc nerds who know how to.
Eraser
This one has some
advanced features such “Erasing Scheduler” allowing you to run tasks for
shredding the files, folders, free space and the Recycle bin contents at times
of your choice or at the system start-up. With 13 algorithms one can chose from,
you have Windows Explorer integration, the option for unlocking the locked
files before deleting them, drive free space erasing, also the ability to
replace the erased files with pre-selected files.
File Shredder
This one has no
portable version, making it a permanent erasing solution, but it does have the
useful functions, making it worth a try. Its erasing algorithms have simple 1
or 2 pass, DoD 3 pass, secure 7 pass or the Gutmann 35 pass method. There’s
also Explorer integration which can directly erase the file/folder immediately
or add it to a queue to be shredded later on. Another useful function is the
free space shredder which will completely erase all unused space on the
selected drive using one of the above methods. Files and folders are added to
the list using drag and drop or the add buttons on the left.
