This innovative new software can help you delete and destroy confidential data permanently, without trace.

Many users are still not aware, in spite of newspaper and TV reports, etc. on the subject, that deleted files, hard disks, USB sticks and memory cards can be restored in many cases.

Why can data be restored so easily in many cases?

Windows, like many other systems too, does not delete a file’s entire data, but simply marks the previously used disk space as free. If a new file occupies the disk space that is now marked as free, you are already in luck as the old data has been overwritten by the new file. However, only by deliberately overwriting the old data can you guarantee that all your sensitive data has actually been securely overwritten and deleted.

What are DoD, Gutmann, VSITR, Schneier and Co. used for?

All these terms are names of methods that have been developed to overwrite data. They determine how often and which pattern must be used to overwrite the data, to ensure that any chance of recovery is excluded or impossible using reasonable means.

Simply overwriting data with zeros, for instance, is not reliable enough to prevent recovery. Old data leaves residual magnetic tracks on magnetic storage media (like hard disks), which can be extracted in the lab. This is a very expensive process and is definitely only worthwhile in the case of particularly important data. However, this must be considered a possibility, especially in areas such as the commercial, government and banking sectors.

The above-mentioned methods ensure that the residual magnetic fields are modified so that it is impossible to recover data even in the laboratory.

What are the typical areas of application for DataErase

Let us assume that you are selling your old digital camera, along with the memory card. Would you want the new owner to be able to recover your old photos in minutes?

Let us assume that you are selling your old PC, along with the hard disk. Would you like the new owner to be able to recover your old tax returns, passwords, letters, documents, pictures, videos, etc.?

There are plenty of other examples, especially in the banking, government and corporate sectors where it is vital to be able to delete data permanently. However, this is not possible using the simple facilities provided by Windows. You need appsmaker DataErase to do this.

How does DataErase help me perform these tasks?

DataErase contains a variety of sophisticated features and algorithms that are capable of deleting data securely, quickly and permanently. State-of-the-art deletion methods guarantee that DataErase can also be used in the business world.

Wiping the complete system

DataErase can be used to wipe the complete system, including the system partition, by facilitating the creation of a bootable storage medium. The system to be wiped can be started from this medium and can be completely wiped using the deletion module provided.

Wiping storage media, partitions and files/folders

If only certain areas of the hard disk (partitions) or certain storage media are to be wiped, DataErase also helps you through the process with easy-to-use instructions. Obviously, specific files and folders can also be deleted.

Overwriting free space

Free space can also be overwritten by DataErase. This is a good idea if files have already been deleted and any residual tracks that are still available need to be permanently removed.

Signed deletion logs

Deletion logs need to be generated, especially in the commercial and banking sectors. This can also provide proof later on that sensitive (customer) data was securely deleted. This means that instead of destroying a used hard disk completely, DataErase can be used on cost grounds.

To avoid any tampering with logs, they are signed digitally by DataErase. This is done by generating a checksum for the log data and encrypting it. DataErase’s check function decrypts this checksum and compares it with the checksum calculated for the log data. If they match, the log has not been modified. Even if just one character (or even a single bit) is changed, the digital signature will no longer match the log. This procedure prevents tampering and reliably detects it.

Job Status

DataErase processes deletion operations as jobs. This means that you can wipe several storage media simultaneously and overwrite their free space. A job is created for each physical storage medium. You can pause a job and continue it at any time. To view the status of a job, click on it in the job list and you will receive details about current progress, the estimated time left and other status information about the job.

Custom Wipe Pattern

You may require your own deletion methods, just to be on the safe side with DataErase in the future as well. If you operate in the government or commercial sector and opt to purchase DataErase, you can quickly comply with your security guideline requirements. If the use of a different deletion method to the one supported by DataErase is stipulated, you can integrate this method in just a few minutes.

1. Creating a new method.

Click on the + symbol to create a new method. Enter a relevant name for your method.

2. Configure action

A deletion method sets several passes whereby the data is overwritten every pass. A specific action is carried out every pass. All the methods used so far comprise the following three basic functions: Overwriting with a constant value, Random values and Overwriting with the complement of the previous run.

Click on Add to create an action for a new pass. Then configure the options for the action. To process an action, first select it and change the parameters.

Verify Wipe Protocols

DataErase automatically generates a log for each deletion operation and creates it in the “Logs” subfolder in the DataErase installation directory. You can open and print the HTML logs with any web browser. To ensure that the logs cannot be modified, i.e. deletion operations added to the log that did not actually take place, the files contain a digital signature.

DataErase produces a checksum of the log data to create the signature, and encrypts it. The encrypted value is included as a hexadecimal value. If you now open this type of log file using the Check LogFile function, you will be informed whether the file is valid, i.e. it has not been modified.