Uses multiple passes overwriting algorithms including DOD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, Schneider, and GOST R 50739-95 to completely shred sensitive data and make it completely unrecoverable by forensic tools. Additional features include context menu integration and the capability to wipe entire drives.
When the system deletes files, it doesn’t actually remove those files, but just marks the disk space that those files occupy as available for overwriting. Because of this, the files that you consider deleted can actually be recovered with special tools and techniques. If these files contain private data, then your confidentiality and security might be endangered.
Hardwipe is a small and simple utility that takes care of this problem. It can wipe files, folders and entire drives, ensuring that the data are completely deleted, beyond any recovery. Therefore, you will no longer have to worry that your sensitive data could get into the wrong hands.
Using the tool is an easy matter as it comes with a simple, neat and intuitive interface that anyone can handle without any problem. Hardwipe is also small and lightweight. Anyway, this doesn’t mean it lacks important features. It also offers plenty of useful options. For example, in order to accurately erase data, it makes use of different major sanitization schemes, like Guttman, GOST R 50739-95, DOD 5220.22-M and Schneier.
Another great thing about this tool is that it doesn’t only deal with shredding files but it can also wipe entire volumes, the free disk space, or even the contents of the Recycle Bin. A comprehensive log file is also created every time a wiping job is performed.
To sum it all up, Hardwipe is a great tool for permanently removing files, wiping the disk space and ensuring your security. Since it’s also free, I can only recommend it with all my heart.
v2.1.0 [Oct 29, 2012]
The latest release (codenamed Perky Pike) is now offered as a "portable download" as well as a traditional installer based application. This means that you can copy it onto a USB stick and run it on any computer.
The other big change in this release is the ability update language files yourself. Previously, language translation text (such as Spanish text) was embedded in the application itself. Many users emailed to offer their services in helping to translate the user interface into other language. Sadly, it was not practical to maintain multiple language translations in this way. The alternative was to "open up" the language translation data, so that anyone can update or create new language packs themselves.
