File Shredders

Findings of the Tribunal:

Uncovered while doing research on Visual Test. Keep in mind the following as you read through this mind boggling list:

Shiva, Destroyer of Files
"A really great and fast file shredder, and now under a new domain! Even low level magnetic oscilloscope scans won't recover files destroyed by Shiva! Many configuration options, including 'inverse' pattern overwrites, DOD specs, slack space and free space wipes and more. Simple and easy 'drag and drop' from Explorer interface, or use Shiva's internal file selection windows to select files to completely obliterate."
1.88MB

File Shredder
"A small utility that will completely erase the contents of sensitive files and folders that you specify. Normal file deletion only removes a file's directory entry, but leaves the data contained in the file on your disk drive. File Shredder completely overwrites the contents of a file and then deletes it. To shred files and folders simply drag them to the File Shredder icon in the same way you would the Recycle Bin. You can also shred files by right-clicking on them from the MS Windows Explorer and selecting the Send To item on the popup context menu. File Shredder has two file wiping methods available, a standard two-pass file clearing procedure and an NSA approved seven-pass file erasure method. For normal file deletion operations the two-pass method should be sufficient, but if you want to thoroughly erase a file's contents before deleting it the NSA approved method may be used. NOTE: Files and folders selected for shredding can not be recovered using an undelete program. The purpose of File Shredder is to completely remove sensitive files and their contents from you disk drive. Once a file has been shredded it can not be recovered using sophisticated file restoration utilities."
0.10MB $20

Eraser (Tolvanen)
"An advanced security tool, which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. You can drag and drop files and folders to the on-demand eraser, use the convenient Explorer shell extension or use the integrated scheduler to program overwriting of unused disk space or, for example, browser cache files to happen regularly, at night, during your lunch break, at weekends or whenever you like."
0.90MB

BCWipe
"Ensures a user that his/her deleted files will not be restored from the disk by another person. BCWipe shreds deleted files' contents using special military grade procedures (DoD USA) and allows to wipe empty space on your disks and file slacks. BCWipe is a shell extension for Windows 95/98/NT/200 and highly integrated to the operating system. Easy and convenient in use. "
0.53MB $29.95

Shredder95
"Norton Can't Touch This! The Award-Winning Shredder95/98/NT completely destroys from a single file to entire directories and even free space beyond Government standards, Department of Defense DOD-5220 requirements and any hope of recovery. Every bit of a file is overwritten numerous times and then randomized. And, using pricise, well-tested methods, Shredder95 also overwrites the name, date, time, and size so that nothing whatsoever remains. Several magazines have put Shredder95/98/NT to the test, and compared with others, has been called 'The Best!' Whatever files, pictures, letters, email attachments, etc (even if previously deleted), Shredder95 will remove FOREVER. This small utility is quick and easy to use. It's excellent interface, adaptive design, constant upgrades and awards, and a prompt and friendly customer support team continue to prove Shredder95's success."
1.24MB $29.95

Clean Disk Security
"This program gives you secure file deletion, making sure that deleted files cannot be undeleted again. Deleting a file normally just removes the file's directory entry, but the data itself remains on the disk. This program completely eliminates the contents of deleted files."
0.64MB $25

East-Tec Eraser 2000
"An advanced security application designed to completely eliminate sensitive data from your computer and protect your computer and Internet privacy. Eraser goes beyond U.S. Department of Defense security standards and introduces a new meaning for the verb TO ERASE. Erasing a file now means wiping its contents beyond recovery, scrambling its name and dates and removing all traces of it from your disk. Eraser can also completely destroy any data from previously deleted files that might still be accessible on your disk (in the Recycle Bin or in unused disk areas). Fast, secure and very flexible (create your own wipe methods!). Tight integration with the Windows shell makes it intuitive and easy to use. Sensitive files, confidential mail messages, temporary Internet files, browser traces, the contents of deleted e-mail messages, they all can be safely removed and destroyed beyond recovery with Eraser."
1.62MB $19.95

AnalogX SuperShredder
"When you delete a file from your system, the contents are still visible on your harddisk and can be recovered at a later date - that's why it's crucial to use a secure deletion tool when working with sensitive data. AnalogX SuperShredder destroys files using the most secure methods; NISPOM (the US government DoD spec) and GUTMANN, plus it can be completely customized for the ultimate in secure deletion!"
0.23MB

Spytech Eradicator
"Allows you to quickly delete multiple files with three increasingly stronger deletion levels. Once you securely delete a file with Eradicator its gone - forever. No more worrying about past files coming back to haunt you."
0.37MB $19.95

Virtual Shredder
"Easily prevent others from breaching your privacy or stealing your secrets by securely removing all traces of any sensitive files from your hard disk beyond any possibility of recovery. Virtual Shredder can completely obliterate all traces of any file on your system, and it's simple to do with it's user-friendly interface. Virtual Shredder is tested safe for FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS disk formats, so you can use it in Windows(tm) 95, 98, NT 4.0, and Windows 2000 environments without worry. (NT/2000 users must have the appropriate permissions)."
0.59MB $19.95

SecureClean
"When you delete sensitive files, suprisingly they still reside on your disk and can be accessed by others -- even after a drive reformat. SecureClean completely eliminates this unwanted PC data giving you the security and peace of mind you expect."
1.83MB $46.95

BlackBoard FileWipe
"Permanently destroys data by overwriting it with random data up to 10 times, then erases the file. When you normally delete a file someone can undelete it and view its contents. Free FileWipe for DOS included. This can also be used with FileWipe for Win95/98 by calling it in the autoexec.bat to remove files that are not accessable while in Windows (index.dat, swap file, etc.). "
0.87MB $17.95

Sure Delete
"A security file shredder. Its purpose is to prevent others from breaching your privacy or stealing your secrets by securely removing all traces of any sensitive files from your hard disk beyond all hope of recovery. Sure Delete can obliterate all aspects of an individual file and wipe out entire selected directory trees in one operation."
0.30MB

File Monster
"If you are deleting files using normal deletion methods, then you are leaving all the data in those files readily available to anyone with access to your computer! File Monster, on the other hand, completely erases and deletes files from your system -- overwriting all the data in the file to ensure that a file recovery utility will not be able to recover the file or, more importantly, the data contained in it. The reason your data is still readily available when you delete files with normal deletion methods is because the procedure only tells the operating system to not recognize the file as being present anymore; however, the data contained in those files has not actually been erased and, thus, anyone with a simple file recovery utility can very easily get all that data back to do with as they wish. Use File Monster to prevent your senstive data from being compromised."
0.90MB $25

Deletor
"Helps you keep your disks clean by deleting or shredding files corresponding to file name patterns or extensions that you specify. Deletor also has support for filter packs, which allow you to store sets of your most commonly used file deletion specifications. Combine this with the command line access to the program and you can easily automate the cleaning process with batch files, shortcuts, or a scheduler."
0.28MB $10

Terminus
"Leave No Traces. Destroy files and directories irrecoverably, purge data fragments from free space and file slack space, destroy data in the same way over networks, fast-search for data to destroy, and more. Network, logging, and automation support makes Terminus an admin's best friend. Direct, by-the- book compliance with DoD guidelines as listed in DoD 5220.22-M. Supports all 32-bit Windows OSs on x86 platforms, from the original Win95 to Windows 2000. (Service Pack 4 or later required for NT/BackOffice.)"
12.99MB $30

CR-Zap2K
"CR-Zap2K is a file shredder. It is a little known fact that when you delete a file, the data on the disk remains there, CR-Zap2K makes sure it doesn't. CR-Zap2K should be fully compatable with Win9X and Windows NT4/5. Encrypted, sparse and compressed files are also supported."
0.05MB

Smart Real Delete
"Windows and other operating systems do not delete files. Even after the recycle bin has been emptied the file still remains on the hard drive or floppy. Remaining info can still be pulled from the hard drive using a bit more advanced methods. All in all a file remains readable until it has been completely written over. Real Delete will completly remove data from your disk from the first bit in a file to the last."
0.96MB $25

Mutilate File Wiper
"Mutilate destroys sensitive files so they can never be recovered or undeleted. Select target files with Mutilate's easy to use program interface, or, skip the interface altogether and right-click target files directly from Windows Explorer. With Mutilate's disk free space wiper, you can even use Mutilate to destroy previously deleted files on your hard drive. And, the new Power Mutilator feature lets you select up to 12 folders for quick access to files you target routinely. Power Mutilator is ideal for wiping browser tracks. Best of all, Mutilate is fast. Mutilate quickly pulverizes files while other wipers just chug along."
0.63MB $20

WinShred
"When you delete a file normally you are actually only deleting the reference to the file - the file is still there. If it is a sensitive file the fact that anyone can retrieve it may have catastrophic results for you. WinShred will go right into your file and delete the actual file making it impossible to get back. To use WinShred simply right click on the files you want to shred in explorer, and click shred."
2.28MB $15

File Destroyer
"Allows files to be deleted securely by overwriting the data in the file with garbage, therefore making the file useless if recovered. Files can be be destroyed either by the main application or by the Windows shell extension."
0.89MB $20

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