Simply deleting the files either with a right-click
or shift+delete key does not remove it from a system. The deleted files—even
if you empty the recycle bin folder—remain on the system or storage drive, unless overwritten.
And that’s exactly why you need a
file eraser software—to overwrite sensitive files beyond recovery. The software
helps safeguard sensitive information from potential
breach and unauthorized access. This sensitive
information could be your passwords, bank details, credit or debit card
details, personally identifiable information (PII), social security number, and
more.
Typically, when you delete such information that’s stored on your system either
by using browser’s inbuilt cache/history cleaner or a third-party tool like CCleaner,
the deleted files remain on the drive and can be recovered with the help of a D-I-Y
data recovery tool such as Stellar Data
Recovery.
Thus, before disposing off, donating,
sharing or trashing your old laptop or PC, hard drive,
SD card or thumb drive, use a data erasure software to sanitize the storage media or the system beyond
the scope of data recovery. This will
help protect the sensitive and
confidential data from breach.
But which data erasure software is the best to suit your specific needs?
Well, here’s a list of top 10 best
eraser software 2019. Each software has its pros and cons discussed in
details—so choose wisely.
1.
BitRaser for File (Recommended)
BitRaser
for File is a privacy safeguarding software that permanently erases files,
folders, internet history and partitions from hard drives beyond the scope of
data recovery. The software meets daily data sanitization requirements of
organizations and individuals by erasing data securely using 17 International
standards like U.S. Department of Defense (DOD Standard 5220.22-M) 3 Pass/7
Pass, NATO etc.
These
verification methods simultaneously verify file eraser during the erasure task.
It is an
easy-to-use and secure data erasure tool that meets your individual data sanitization needs and works more effectively than system cleaner apps such as CCleaner because it securely erases the file, not just delete it. Once a file is
erased with BitRaser for File, no data recovery software or service including forensics can recover it.
The software generates a certificate of erasure that
guarantees file erasure beyond recovery. The
tamper proof certificate of erasure also helps you meet statutory compliance
with data security & privacy regulations such as SOX, GLB, HIPAA, ISO27001, EU-GDPR, and PCI-DSS.
The free version
of BitRaser for File can erase individual files up to 64 KB in size, which
helps ascertain its data erasure capabilities. The licensed version of the
software can erase files of any size.
2.
Eraser
Eraser is a free data erasure utility that lets you
sanitize the confidential files from
various storage drives. You can select and wipe individual files and folders,
or schedule data erasure tasks to wipe
multiple file and folders at once. It can help you wipe volumes and empty space
on the storage drive. The software employs data erasure standards like DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, etc. and can destroy
the files and folders beyond recovery.
Unlike BitRaser
for File, the Eraser software can’t erase private data (internet activities,
system & application traces, etc.).
Also, it supports fewer data eraser standards and there’s no
verification of data erasure task.
Most
importantly, the software can’t generate
a certificate of erasure.
3.
DBAN
Darik’s Book and Nuke is one
of the most popular free data destruction utility. It is an open-source project available in ISO
format. To use it, you need to burn the
ISO into a USB flash drive or CD. Following are the data sanitization standards DBAN offers:
·
DoD 5220.22-M
·
RCMP TSSIT OPS-II
·
Gutmann
·
Random Data
·
Write Zero
Since DBAN works
from a bootable media, it can work on any Windows or Linux system. The utility
only allows you to wipe entire data from your physical disks, which means you
can’t erase data from specific volume or
partition on the disk.
It’s a powerful tool but the geeky command line interface may
not suit everyone; so, it’s advised to avoid this utility unless you are
comfortable with using command line interfaces.
Another key
consideration for users with regard to DBAN is that it hasn’t been updated since 2015.
And, it does not recognize solid state drives.
4.
PC Disk Eraser
PC Disk Eraser
is another bootable file erasure program. That means it can run on any system
including Windows, Linux, and Mac. The utility is available as an ISO file that
a user can burn on a CD or USB drive, and then boot from it. It uses the DOD
5220.22-M data erasure algorithm to wipe disk, partitions, and folders.
Overall, the
program is easy to use and displays
all the vital information about the drive. It further prompts the user every
time before wiping the drive.
The program can
erase entire disk, specific volume
including the one that stores the operating system—so be careful. Also, it doesn’t
support mouse inputs and thus, a user will
have to rely on the keyboard entirely, which can be cumbersome. And it cannot
erase individual files or folders.
5.
CBL Data Shredder
A free data
destruction software which is available for Windows. However, a user can also create a bootable USB media to erase and destroy files from any
other system without installation. The CBL Data Shredder utilizes the following data erasure algorithms for data erasure:
·
DoD 5220.22-M
·
Gutmann
·
RMCP DSX
·
Schneier
·
VSITR
In addition to above-listed data erasure algorithms, one can add their own erasure method, which is
unique.
A drawback of
this software is that it features a limited
number of algorithms, and doesn’t provide much control over which files one can
erase. Also, some of the text on the software user interface is in German,
which can’t be changed to another language.
6.
Hardwipe
Hardwipe is a free data sanitization
program that can overwrite files and wipe hard drive data beyond recovery. To
use Hardwipe, one can either install the software on their Windows PC or create
a bootable USB/CD media. Both these options allow the users to wipe drives and
volumes like HDShredder and DBAN— albeit via a simpler interface.
The software can
also be combined with Windows File Explorer and
Task Scheduler for file eraser automation.
It supports
multiple languages that can been enabled by downloading
specific language pack from the various options available on its website. Hardwipe
supports the data erasure standards:
·
Zero Overwrite
·
Random Data
·
GOST R 50739-95
·
DOD 5220.22-M
·
VSITR
·
RAZOR (+,++)
·
Schneier
·
Gutmann
NOTE: To use Hardwipe software as a portable version
(bootable) and get access to more advanced options, the software needs
an upgrade. One can choose from the two portable
versions —32-bit and 64-bit.
7.
Disk Wipe
Disk Wipe is a
drive wiping utility that permanently destroys data from hard disk and other
storage media—whether internal or external. It is a free data eraser software
for Windows and supports the following data erasure algorithms:
·
DOD 5220.22-M
·
Gutmann
·
HMG IS5
·
Write Zero
·
Random Data
·
GOST R 50739-95
The software
does not require installation. It’s available in a portable version, which means a user needs to just double click on the .exe file to begin wiping
the drive volumes containing sensitive information.
The software
can’t erase individual files or verify data erasure.
8. Secure Eraser
Secure eraser utility
supports 4 data erasure standards to wipe storage media and sensitive data with up to 35 passes.
·
DoD 5220.22-M
·
Gutmann
·
Random Data
·
VSITR
The software lets
you erase individual files and folders with drag-drop feature. However, the
installer uses a dark pattern (tricks the
user) to install another program during the Secure Eraser utility installation
wizard.
Also, the
software prompts the user to order the full version whenever
the software is launched, which is
annoying.
9.
HDShredder
As the name
suggests, HDShredder is a file-shredding utility that destroys everything you
throw at it. It uses a write zero sanitization
method to erase files.
HDShredder
requires installation on PC. But to use
it for erasure, you need a CD or USB drive. The program creates an HDShredder bootable drive. And just like DBAN, you can boot from the
bootable drive on any PC and destroy sensitive data.
It supports both
internal and external drives and features
a wizard-like user interface that makes
it easy-to-use. However, it can potentially destroy the operating system (OS) files and program files without any warning.
Therefore, while using the program, you need to be extra careful.
But the biggest downside of
HDShredder software is that most options that make the software worthy are
available in paid version. Such as, you cannot erase individual files and
folders.
10. CCleaner
CCleaner is a
free registry and system cleaner software for Windows and Android. It lets you
uninstall apps, clean junk files, temporary system files, cookies, and various
other system and application traces. But everything it deletes can be recovered
with a basic data recovery tool.
However, it has
an inbuilt disk wiping utility that
lets you wipe the empty storage space on the hard drive or certain partition. So, any previously deleted
file gets wiped off and can’t be recovered.
You can use any of the four following
listed options for wiping the drive:
·
Simple Overwrite – 1 Pass
·
Advanced Overwrite – 3 Pass
·
Complex Overwrite – 7 Pass
·
Very Complex Overwrite – 35 Passes
(take more time and may damage drive permanently)
Also, you can’t
erase individual files or folder or choose data erasure algorithm because it does not have any.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide outlines the top 10 best data erasure software in 2019.
This will certainly help you choose the right data eraser that best meets your
needs.
For instance, BitRaser for File is the only data
erasure software that features 17 international erasure algorithms, along with the
ability to generate tamper proof certificate
of erasure for meeting regulatory compliance.
Further, the software can automate erasure tasks and sanitize sensitive data such as internet activities, system traces,
and application traces. BitRaser for File is designed to meet all types of data
erasure needs for most users, due to its simple interface.
There are other effective data erasure
software like Darik’s Book and Nuke or DBAN which is amongst the most powerful tools,
but would suit the users who are comfortable with command line interface.
Our recommendation is to choose an erasure
software that offers well-rounded utility, ease-of-use, and long-term solution.
Another key factor to decide on a software should be based on how it helps the
users meet the regulatory standards for data privacy & privacy.
All the data erasure software – presented
in this guide - are free to download. So go ahead, download and evaluate them yourself.
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