PC secure measure: wipe free space - permanently delete files

[Prorootect]

Remove data on unused portions of a HDD volume, permanently delete 'erased' files and wipe free space ( on HDD drive) - it's easy with Command Prompt on your Windows. (it's available in Windows XP Pro, Vista, Windows 7).

Go to Start/Run - type cmd , then in the black box type: cipher/w:C

That's all .. All your free space will be overwrited on your drive (in this case drive C).

Look on Microsoft documentation for Command-line references here: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds.mspx?mfr=true
.. then cipher command description: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/cipher.mspx?mfr=true

This same you are be able to make with software like CCleaner (notch 'Wipe Free Space').

After this - will be not possible the restoring of these wiped files by data recovery software - your free disk space will be permanently erased, clean.

So, from time to time, is provident and wise to wipe free space of your beloved PC.

 

[bogdan]

RE: PC security measure: wipe free space - permanently delete files

Nice trick with cipher. However the "unallocated disk space" is probably a small space on the HDD that is not allocated to the active partition, not the free space inside a partition that your OS can access.

 

[Prorootect]

Yes, but it's possible to convert unallocate space to free space, eg with Partition Magic; look on discussion here: Converting unallocated space to free space (techenclave.com): http://www.techenclave.com/storage-solutions/converting-unallocated-space-to-free-space-81215.html

OK., I rectified my first post!

 

[moonshine]

Nice trick but I'm using CCleaner to wipe my free space every 3 months.

 

[Prorootect]

OK. Bogdan, you are right of course.

First: “unallocated file space” is NOT this same as 'unallocated HDD space', right.
“unallocated file space” - it's 'the space remaining after the end of the file until the end of the cluster ..'

* This Quote is about CCleaner and “unallocated file space”. Then CCleaner is no able to erase “unallocated HDD (= disk) space”:
Quote:
'CCleaner has the ability to “wipe free space” or more appropriately “unallocated data” or “unallocated file space”. Unallocated file space is the area of a hard drive or other digital media which is available for new active data to be written to. On a Windows system, the standard deletion of data will mark that now “deleted” data as unallocated and free for use by the operating system. This means that with the right tools, that deleted data (or fragments of that data) residing in unallocated file space can be recovered. A wiping softwares ability to wipe the free space on digital media will render data located in unallocated or free space over-written and essentially destroyed, preventing any recovery of data from unallocated file space that existed before the wiping software did its deeds.' - in 'How to Delete .. History' (anti-forensics.com): http://www.anti-forensics.com/tag/ccleaner

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Eraser little story here:

Quote:
'The feature that allows Eraser to wipe all unallocated space on a drive is not as risky as it might sound, because it only wipes previously-deleted content. Normal, visible files will be unaffected. On the other hand, this very fact serves to highlight a separate issue: Eraser can not help you clean up sensitive information that has not been deleted, but that may be extremely well-hidden. Files containing such data may be tucked away in obscure folders, for example, or stored with meaningless filenames.' - in 'Wiping information with secure deletion tools' by security.ngoinabox.org/en: https://security.ngoinabox.org/en/chapter_6_2

So I'm not sure if it's possible with some erasing software, like Eraser, erase very hidden obscure bootkit / rootkit files, data ..:dodgy:

* 'Eraser - Secure File Removal' - in security.ngoinabox.org/en/: https://security.ngoinabox.org/en/eraser_main

So .. Eraser require the installation of the .Net Framework ..:dodgy:

* 'Getting to know Eraser 6' - in Heidi Computers Ltd Support - bbs.heidi.ie: http://bbs.heidi.ie/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6354

* .. and Eraser home page here: http://eraser.heidi.ie/

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Hmm, it's to lose the head with this story of erasures .. my head .. I prefer instead to ask the opinion of the antirootkits like GMER, also aswMBR.exe and stay calm.

 

[Prorootect]

After use of Eraser, use Recuva to scan for leftover files (by Piriform - maker of CCleaner): http://www.piriform.com/recuva

Recuva is really gratifying - it's my savior for my lost photos recovered after mishandling.

 

[AyeAyeCaptain]

As said when I first read, instantly thought of CCleaner, even though not used it (that function) but now have been informed and armed with more info to know/correct me on my first thoughts. Is it really viable to do though, does it really have any impact on day-to-day impact?

 

[Prorootect]

@AyeAyeCaptain,

Yes, some impact .. some .. You personally will feel better with wiped free space.
Like me. 'From time to time', eg. 'every 3 months', or 2 monts ..

Seriously: If you deleted something and will be sure it's gone, then you wipe free space - it's bettter for your privacy, it makes data unretrievable.
Quote from my first post: 'After this - will be not possible the restoring of these wiped files by data recovery software - your free disk space will be permanently erased, clean.'