Whenever you "delete" a file, no matter how many times you empty your recycle bin, the file
is not really deleted. Instead, the Operative System (Windows) "forgets" about the file, not
linking to it or showing it anymore, and overwriting it if (and only if) it needs to.
However, most of the time, Windows does not require the space that the deleted file occupies.
And the data of the file remains untouched, as if it had not been deleted.
A large number of programs, usually known as Data Recovery software, are able to scan the hard drive for these "deleted" files, and restore them. Any person with access to the computer, including unauthorized ones, through the use of malicious software, can potentially and easily recover, view, and distribute (if they so wish) deleted documents, images, videos...
g0 Secure Delete 1.0
Simple deleting a file doesn't help much because nothing is
deleted. The disk space is beeing made available again to
the system, but the actual bytes on the hard disk drive weren't
changed. The file system has to consume some time writing...
Price: USD $26.00, EUR 20;
File Size: 2231 KB;
Platform: Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003
Advanced Tracks Cleaner 2.0.4
Advanced Tracks Cleaner is a powerful tool for your protection. Every day when you work on a computer, Windows keeps track of your activities on the computer, when you are connected to the Internet, the web browser you are using leaves many traces...
Price: USD $34.95;
File Size: 544 KB;
Platform: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows 2000
Blancco - Data Cleaner+ 4.4
All-in-One solution for any data erasure and reuse needs: Blancco - Data Cleaner+ combines 100% secure erasure with extra value- added benefits
Deleting and formatting do not erase data from your hard drive. High-speed erasure created by Blancco...
Price: USD $29.95, EUR 24.95;
File Size: 1474 KB;
Platform: Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Linux
Mutilate File Wiper 2.92
Normal File Deletion is NOT secure. Deleting files merely removes the file system's pointer to the file, ALL THE DATA REMAINS ON YOUR HARD DRIVE. The remaining data can be easily recovered with data recovery or forensic software. Your sensitive...
Price: USD $20.00;
File Size: 823 KB;
Platform: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003
R-Wipe & Clean 8.0
R-Wipe & Clean is a complete solution to wipe useless files and keep your computer privacy. Irretrievably deletes private records of your on- and off-line activities, such as temporary internet files, history, cookies, autocomplete forms and...
Price: USD $28.99;
File Size: 2519 KB;
Platform: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows 2003, Windows 2000
Blancco - Lite 4.4
Blancco - Lite is the solution designed for simple erasure needs: it guarantees a 100% secure hard disk erasure for PC and laptop computers with unlimited-time erasure for one IDE hard disk drive per computer. A confirmation report is generated...
Price: USD $18.95, EUR 15.95;
File Size: 1474 KB;
Platform: Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Linux
WipeClean 1.0
Ensure that any sensitive data is securely wiped from your hard drive and can never be recovered. WipeClean allows you to securely wipe individual files, full folders or file patterns from within selected folders. WipeClean also integrates itself...
Price: USD $19.95;
File Size: 3642 KB;
Platform: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003
Ss Data Eraser 2.0
Data Eraser is a permanent way to securely delete files, folders and disk free space. Data Eraser completely implements the US Department of Defense DOD 5220.22 M clearing and sanitizing standard, to gives you confidence that once deleted, your...
Price: USD $0.00;
File Size: 634 KB;
Platform: Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows Vista
Freeze Burn 1.1.0
Freeze Burn is an extensive utility for Windows based computers to completely erase data from your hard drive. This way you can make sure that your sensitive files will never be recovered again using any type of recovery tool.
Freeze Burn is...
Price: USD $9.95;
File Size: 2294 KB;
Platform: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003
Disk Investigator 1.32
Disk Investigator helps you to discover all that is hidden on your computer hard disk. It can also help you to recover lost data. Display the true drive contents by bypassing the operating system and directly reading the raw drive sectors. View...
Price: USD $0.00;
File Size: 347 KB;
Platform: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP