"Secure Delete" for Windows?

[Eric Jernigan <eric.jernigan () PCC EDU>]

One tool I recommend is Secure Erase (HDDerase.exe) from UCSD's Center for Magnetic Recording Research. Like the other 
suggestions, this one is free but is also endorsed by NIST and will comply with HIPAA (if that's an issue). Unlike many 
of the apps out there, it doesn't rely on the obsolete DoD 5220 relying on numbers of simple overwrites. It does a 
thorough single pass, reducing sanitization time. It is developed for use in DOS but can work on an external drive 
allowing you to delete almost any type of (S/P) ATA drive. It wont work on USB apparently (haven't tried) but USB 
memory is volatile and it doesn't need much to erase anyway.

 

> From READ ME:

HDDerase.exe is a DOS-based utility that securely erases "sanitizes" all data on ATA hard disk drives in Intel 
architecture computers (PCs). It offers the option to run the drive internal secure erase command, security erase unit, 
based on the ATA specification by the T13 technical committee. To run the utility make a floppy, recordable CD-R, or 
USB DOS bootable disk; then copy HDDerase.exe to the bootable media. Reboot the computer with the floppy, CD-R, or USB 
inserted, and type "hdderase" at the system DOS prompt. Make sure to set the correct priority boot order in the system 
BIOS, such as first boot floppy, CD-R, or USB depending on which media is used to run HDDerase.exe. HDDerase.exe must 
be run from an actual DOS environment and not a Window based DOS command prompt environment.

 

Secure Erase is here: http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/people/Hughes/SecureErase.shtml

 

 

Eric Jernigan

Information Security Manager,

Technology Solution Services

Portland Community College

PO Box 19000

Portland OR 97280-0990

503-977-4896

Eric.jernigan () pcc edu

 

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of SECURITY 
automatic digest systemSent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:00 PMTo: SECURITY@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDUSubject: SECURITY 
Digest - 3 Mar 2009 to 4 Mar 2009 (#2009-55) 

 

Ref:

 

The Mac has 'Secure Empty Trash' which securely deletes/"shreds" the files in the trash can.

 

What you have found for the PC that is functionally similar, is easy to install/use, and is free or low cost?

 

Allison F. Dolan

Program Director, Personally Identifiable Information

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

77 Massachusetts Ave  NE49-3021

Cambridge MA 02139-4307         

Phone: (617) 252-1461

http://mit.edu/infoprotect