| There are two ways to ensure that your data | | | | software licence for the GNU project. It's a |
| is completely wiped off your hard disk. You | | | | type of copyleft licence. It grants the |
| can use either digital data shredding | | | | recipients of a computer program, such as |
| software or hardware. Currently hardware is | | | | Eraser, the rights to free software by |
| the more popular choice, as there are more | | | | definition. Linux Kernel uses this type of |
| benefits to it. | | | | license for all their free software. Copyleft |
| | | | is a reciprocity system where any work |
| There are various reasons why a person would | | | | derived from it must also be created as free |
| want to clean out his or her hard disk. The | | | | and open source software. In this way it |
| hard disk might have personal information on | | | | grants rights to other people instead of |
| it that he or she wouldn't want others to | | | | imposing copyright restrictions. |
| have access to, such as credit card details | | | | |
| and passwords. Companies might want to | | | | The disadvantages of using software to shred |
| protect or dispose of confidential | | | | your data on a hard disk are that you need a |
| information. | | | | PC. The software needs a compatible operating |
| | | | system to enable it to run. If the |
| When you delete information or files on your | | | | computer's operating system isn't compatible, |
| computer the standard way, it's still | | | | the correct programme will have to be bought |
| possible for data recovery specialists to | | | | and installed. With an external shredder the |
| find it. Just because you can't see the file | | | | process is simpler. |
| doesn't mean it's not there. If you overwrite | | | | |
| a file, the chances of data recovery | | | | WiebeTech have launched an external drive, |
| specialists being able to recover it are | | | | eRazor, which shreds data directly from the |
| smaller, but there is still that possibility. | | | | hard drive. It works independently from a PC |
| | | | as users can just slot their hard drive into |
| Digital data shredders are the equivalent of | | | | the device. It works for all types of |
| modern paper shredders. Computer files are | | | | operating systems. It is also faster than |
| becoming the accepted format for storing | | | | software shredding, working at 35MB per |
| information, instead of printing everything | | | | second. At this speed 250GB of data could |
| and filing it. Users and companies are | | | | easily be erased in just 2 hours. |
| storing their data on external hard drives | | | | |
| and servers. The advantages of this are that | | | | The eRazor is targeted at larger companies |
| finding a file or document digitally is | | | | who wish to get rid of data on a frequent |
| easier than having to go through paper work. | | | | basis. For everyday users wanting to resell |
| It also saves physical space, as there are no | | | | their hard drives or delete some personal |
| filing cabinets. | | | | information, software shredding might be the |
| | | | better option. |
| Heidi Computers specialises in software | | | | |
| designed specifically for data shredding. You | | | | Digital data is becoming the new trend in |
| can download their shredding software, | | | | storing information. Companies are beginning |
| Eraser, for free from their website. The | | | | to use e-mails as confirmation for products |
| software is compatible with Windows 95, 98, | | | | and almost all paperwork is done and stored |
| ME NT 2000, XP, Windows 2003 Server and DOS. | | | | on the computer. If you or your company are |
| They have released the software under a GNU | | | | going to be storing personal, confidential |
| General Public Licence. | | | | information then you need to consider |
| | | | investing in a data shredder as standard |
| A GNU General Public License is a free | | | | office equipment. |