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Anyone using a computer creates and deletes files. These files, such as documents created in a word processor and information retrieved from the Internet, are stored on a hard drive to be accessed at anytime. When a file is no longer needed, we delete it mainly for two reasons. First, deleting unwanted files frees up precious disk space for new files we may wish to save. Second, we delete files because we don't want their contents to be seen. But did you know that the files you delete on your computer are not actually destroyed?

Most Windows users know that files places into the desktop Recycle Bin can be resurrected by simply opening the bin and recovering them. This is a nice safety feature in case of an accidental deletion or a change of mind. But what do you do when you really want to get rid of them? By selecting the "Empty Recycle Bin" option we are assured that the bin is purged and all its contents destroyed forever. Nothing could be further than the truth. Windows simply marks the disk space on which these files reside to be available again. This is a throw back to the early days of DOS and floppy disks. Back then, disk capacities were small and access to them slow. Overwriting the data (which insures its destruction) would have taken way too much time. So instead, the operating system merely marked the space available for new data leaving the old information untouched. And given the small capacity of the disks, overwriting was practically guaranteed. This antiquated philosophy remains in Windows and the problem is exacerbated by today's massively large drives. Because there is so much more disk space, the likelihood of a file's destruction is a lot smaller since Windows tends to favor unused space to overwriting. So there they sit, files containing passwords, financial information, business secrets, love letters and who knows what else just waiting to be resurrected by anyone armed with a variety of readily available undelete utilities. And it gets worse.

It used to be that overwriting a file with new data insured the old file's destruction. But with high-tech magnetic sensor devices, even overwritten data can be exhumed via sophisticated ghosting techniques. So how can you rest assured that what you delete will stay that way?

To really make sure a file has been erased you need a program that writes differing patterns of ones and zeros over the same area multiple times. The Department of Defense has set up guidelines describing the procedure and requires government agencies to use them when erasing anything classified. And although your hard drive might not contain nuclear secrets, only you know how important your data is and how much of an effort you want to make towards insuring their destruction. CyberScrub is a file deletion utility that complies with DOD guidelines and goes even further if necessary. You set CyberScrub's level of erasure via its easy to understand control panel. You can delete one file, a directory, multiple directories or even an entire disk. The latter is an option because even the dreaded FORMAT command won't truly erase a hard disk drive. Other deletion features include the permanent removal of Internet browser cache files and cookies to eliminate any Internet trails you may have left behind.

CyberScrub comes in three versions. CyberScrub Basic ($19.95), CyberScrub Standard ($29.95) and CyberScrub Professional ($39.95). Versions offer increasing flexibility and levels of protection. Works with Windows 95, 98 and 2000.

Macintosh users basically suffer the same problems when files are tossed and deleted via the Trash. They can be easily resurrected with a plethora of utilities just like their Windows counterparts. There are several shareware programs available that will permanently erase files. They can be downloaded from most any of the popular software libraries found on the Internet and America Online.

CyberScrub, Inc.
(770) 951-2080
www.cyberscrub.com