File Eraser

Why You Need a File Wipe Utility for a Safe Disposal of Sensitive Business Information

Written By Oliver Powell
Approved By Rohit Arora
Updated on 28 Feb, 2024
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Summary: Are you thinking of disposing of your sensitive information? Read this guide and learn all the reasons why you must use a file wiping utility or software for secure business data disposal. We've mentioned all the myths and facts related to data deletion. Additionally, we've also discussed a powerful data erasure tool, BitRaser File Eraser, which can erase the data beyond the scope of recovery.

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We keep on adding to our collection of cell phones, smartphones, or even desktops and laptops. This happens probably because our data still lies intact on the hard drives of these wasted items and we do not want to risk our identity by improperly dumping these devices. Things (such as social security number, home address, credit card number) can be easily revealed, if someone gets hold of these used devices. In order to keep from potential incidents of identity thefts, you need to perform a safe disposal of information.

“80% of analyzed breaches had a financial motive.” (Source: Bitsight)

These are some key facts you must consider before donating or handing over the device to someone:

Myth about Deleting Files:

For a Windows user, a secure file erase means deleting that file from the ‘Recycle Bin’ folder. However, this operation only deletes a reference to the file. The contents of the file remain intact on your hard drive. When you create new files, the operating system overwrites this space. However, it is possible to read the file contents before overwriting of the disk space.

Shredding the Data:

This means erasing all the personal or mission-critical information off your hard drive. This process is also known as data wiping. A wiping operation overwrites your data multiple times with a random sequence of 0’s and 1’s to render it completely unrecoverable. Some of the smartphones (such as Blackberry) do include a feature that allows for wiping data. This is certainly the best-known technique to ensure a safe disposal.

In this digital age, everyone is concerned for their personal information and with so much overdependency on storage media, we are already living in the fear of losing our personal information to malicious indented personnel. Thanks for such file wiping technology, we can not only reduce e-waste but also save us from data breach. For Windows users, numerous file shredder tool are available which can wipe all their sensitive information for forever using dod wipe and NATO standards.

How to wipe a computer?

There is advanced file eraser software like Stellar file Eraser (Windows) and File Wipe (Mac) that do a better job of destroying sensitive data on your hard drive. This competent utility performs multiple-pass wipes to securely erase all the information beyond the scope of recovery by any commercial utility. Using this tool, you can create wipe lists to erase a list of selected files and folders at once.

Software working Steps

Install and Launch the software
The main software interface screen list all your connected drives
Select the file from the required drive to erase clicking an Erase Now option

Erase Traces

Pro Tip: Always backup your data before using such file wipe tools. As Once it was gone, it was gone for forever.

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About The Author

Oliver Powell

Oliver Powell is a Data Recovery Expert at Stellar®. He is a passionate technology blogger & content creator, He explores new applications and has deep understanding of data recovery. He has experience in Windows & Mac data recovery domain.

30 comments

Steven Kerbs says:

December 28, 2017 at 10:24 am

Its a wonderfully software both technically and in terms of usability. Our management really praise this tool and its various features. We really want to continue its services for alteast couple of years more.

Reply
1. Manish Bhickta says:
  
  December 28, 2017 at 10:49 am
  
  Hello Steven,
  
  Appreciate your nice feedback.
  
  Reply
Michelle Goraith says:

October 30, 2017 at 10:27 am

Kindly suggest me, which software is best for removal of few important files,folders, images from one of my volume.

Reply
1. Manish Bhickta says:
  
  October 30, 2017 at 11:12 am
  
  Hello Michelle,
  
  Please choose BitRaser for file, variable from the official website.
  Link – Read More
  Kindly take backup of all the important documents before erasure process.
  
  Reply
Jack Agnew says:

September 28, 2017 at 11:08 am

How much is the estimated time for complete wiping process?

Reply
1. Manish Bhickta says:
  
  September 29, 2017 at 4:41 am
  
  Hello Jack,
  
  The estimated duration depends on various factors like
  
  1) System Performance
  2) Size of the hard drive
  
  Please inform the size of your hard disk.
  
  Reply
Elan Barnes says:

August 28, 2017 at 10:42 am

Due to poor PC speed, I need to optimize my unused memory space. Please suggest the steps.

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  August 29, 2017 at 5:08 am
  
  Hello Elan,
  
  Please find the steps below
  
  1) To permanently delete any data present in the unused space, click on “Erase Unused Data” available in left pane under grid view
  2) All the unused data will be displayed in the right pane
  3) The desired system volume can be selected for deletion.
  4) Now click the “Erase Now” button to proceed with the data erasure process.
  
  Reply
James Bush says:

July 25, 2017 at 11:15 am

In the past, we suffer huge losses due to improper data sanitization method. While replacing our old PC machines, without proper data wiping, the machines are handover to a local vendor. After one month, we analyze that our information is drained out to competitors. Since then, we are using permanent data deletion methods.

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  July 26, 2017 at 4:59 am
  
  Hello James,
  
  Thanks for sharing your experience. It really encourages others to secure themselves otherwise results are catastrophic.
  You can also try data erasure software i.e BitRaser
  
  Reply
Glen Roy says:

July 25, 2017 at 11:13 am

In the past, we have twice suffered data breach due to improper handling of business information. Only we knows how huge it impacted our business and huge monetary loss. Since than we follow strict guidelines for proper sanitization of IT assets. We surely want to try Stellar BitRaser software in future.

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  July 26, 2017 at 5:02 am
  
  Hello Glen,
  
  Yes, the cases of data breach may tarnish the image of a business.
  Please share your feedback, once you try our BitRaser software.
  
  Reply
Gary Sevkin says:

June 21, 2017 at 11:50 am

Even I heard that severe punishment and hefty fines are imposed on big corporates. Is it true?

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  June 22, 2017 at 3:26 am
  
  Hello Gary,
  
  Absolutely true Gary, various countries have different laws like SOX, HIPAA, GLBA,EU-DPA, ISO 27001, IT-Act, PCi-DSS, ISAE 3402-3416 when it comes to large data handling, especially when the IT assets are moved internally or externally. Huge penalty, imprisonment or both can be imposed in case of any leakage of sensitive data.
  
  Reply
TR Moody says:

May 30, 2017 at 5:47 am

If the matter is related to our business data. We never compromise with the data, because it may ruin our established business. So we always wipe all our old IT devices with any data erasing software before handed over to local dealers.

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  May 30, 2017 at 11:50 am
  
  Hi TR,
  
  It’s a nice practice. Please keep it up.
  
  Reply
Michael Forley says:

May 24, 2017 at 8:44 am

Any certification you will provide after erasure process?

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  May 24, 2017 at 9:35 am
  
  Yes, after every erasure process, we provide a detailed certificate about the complete removal of data. Once the data was gone, no other data recovery software will recover it. Also, it was valid for audit purposes.
  
  Reply
Ryker Ezekiel says:

May 10, 2017 at 3:30 am

I strictly follow a bi-monthly routine to wipe all the confidential documents from my system. Prior to that take proper backups are taken in external storage media. It gives me a complete sense of security against any data breach. Data wiping using data erasing software is the simplest way of permanent data destruction.

Reply
1. Jyoti Prakash says:
  
  May 10, 2017 at 5:02 am
  
  Hi Ryker,
  
  Such kind of routine is a lesson for all. Protecting your data from prying eyes saves you and your data from any data breach in future. Thanks.
  
  Reply

Why You Need a File Wipe Utility for a Safe Disposal of Sensitive Business Information

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