Author Topic: Secure file deletion tool on Windows  (Read 3577 times)

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Offline topaz~

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Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« on: March 11, 2008, 03:30:57 am »
Does anyone know of a small (<10mb) utility that can securely delete files (via DOD 5220.22 with variable repeitions or via the Gutmann method) on Windows machines? I know I didn't pick the right forum for this topic, but there weren't better choices!

Offline Blaze

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2008, 03:56:15 am »
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php

That looks like what you want, but I haven't tried it.  All I know is I think it is free.
And like a fool I believed myself, and thought I was somebody else...

Offline Newby

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2008, 12:16:18 pm »
This is a fine place to pick.

My friend TehUser made one a while ago. I'll ask about it.
- Newby
http://www.x86labs.org

Quote
[17:32:45] * xar sets mode: -oooooooooo algorithm ban chris cipher newby stdio TehUser tnarongi|away vursed warz
[17:32:54] * xar sets mode: +o newby
[17:32:58] <xar> new rule
[17:33:02] <xar> me and newby rule all

I'd bet that you're currently bloated like a water ballon on a hot summer's day.

That analogy doesn't even make sense.  Why would a water balloon be especially bloated on a hot summer's day? For your sake, I hope there wasn't too much logic testing on your LSAT. 

Offline iago

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2008, 12:25:52 pm »
Does anybody know whether or not this is possible on NTFS? I know it's extremely difficult on ext3 and other journalled filesystems because even if you shred the main file, you still end up with unlinked copies. If NTFS moves stuff around (ie, defrags) without erasing/overwriting it, or if it keeps a history of the file, then you may not be able to delete it securely.

If the data is highly sensitive, you can also consider DBAN, it's a boot cd that'll wipe the drive. We use it in government for certain systems.

Offline Skywing

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2008, 12:55:56 pm »
If you want to clean existing space on the volume, use "cipher.exe /w" (ships with the OS).

Offline iago

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2008, 01:29:02 pm »
Nice! So can you just delete the file as usual, then run that, and it cleans up the remnants?

Offline Skywing

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Re: Secure file deletion tool on Windows
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2008, 02:27:38 pm »
That is the idea, yes.  The utility is intended to be used to wipe cleartext data after converting files to being encrypted via EFS.  It is present back to Windows 2000.