Interesting Software and System News

[REDACTED]

Flexera Software Acquires Secunia

http://www.flexerasoftware.com/enterprise/company/news-center/press-releases/Flexera-Software-Acquires-Secunia-Software-Vulnerability-Management.html

[bob3160]

http://www.hardwipe.com/

[SpeedyPC]

I've been using Hardwipe for 3 years and it is the BEST software freedom from government spying, criminal data theft and espionage!

You will NOT be sorry which option is right for you? for me I just choose the Essential platform others might choose Pro.

http://www.hardwipe.com/features.html

[kls490]

Greetings Bob and SpeedyPC,

     As usual, you've provided some very interesting info!  I've done some reading about the Hardwipe program and have one question.

Over the past several years, the only "Drive Wiper" type application (for overwriting FREE space ONLY) on my HDD, has been the one within CCLeaner.

Is there any significant advantage to using the Hardwipe program over CCleaner's Drive Wiper component (solely for overwriting free space only)?

[Being the non-techie type - I certainly don't want to end up doing something that might inadvertently result in serious computer problems].

Thanks very much for your time and any enlightenment!

[SpeedyPC]

Greetings Bob and SpeedyPC,

     As usual, you've provided some very interesting info!  I've done some reading about the Hardwipe program and have one question.

Over the past several years, the only "Drive Wiper" type application (for overwriting FREE space ONLY) on my HDD, has been the one within CCLeaner.

Is there any significant advantage to using the Hardwipe program over CCleaner's Drive Wiper component (solely for overwriting free space only)?

[Being the non-techie type - I certainly don't want to end up doing something that might inadvertently result in serious computer problems].

Thanks very much for your time and any enlightenment!

G'day KLS,

I find Hardwipe clean free drive space perform much better and very safe than CCleaner, I never used CCleaner to clean free drive space because I had a number of issue in the past so this why I choose Hardwipe.

I still use CCleaner for registry and cleaning any left over such as cookies or any internet history and  nothing else with clean free drive space, any way what I would recommend for you as your very first time using Hardwipe I would doing a complete image backup just in case something might wrong with your HDD. For me I've never had any issue at ALL since I've been using Hardwpie for 3 years, and this software has never fail me or let me down in any way because I have 2 SSD on my laptop and it much quicker than HDD.

As I said for you it better to do a complete image backup just in case something might go wrong.

[kls490]

Hi SpeedyPC, and much obliged for the info you provided!

Fortunately, (as you recommended), a year or so ago I began using the "backup" function on this Win 7 desktop to create a full system image every week (to an external HDD).
So, l may give this Hardwipe program a try.

[With CCleaner, if I do a "DoD-level" free space wipe (i.e., 3-passes)...I have to plan on being unable to use my computer for at least 36 hours or longer, as it takes a very long time for the process to complete].  I'm guessing the same is probably true for Hardwipe as well.

Cheers! 

[SpeedyPC]

KLS,

I never set my wipe settings at 3 passes because it takes forever to clean, I set mind to 'Random Data' this scheme overwrites data in a single pass with pseudo-random values.

For more information see link http://www.hardwipe.com/user_guide/sanitization_schemes.html#razer

[bob3160]

My question is who has access to your HD that requires this extreme procedure
With the price of HD's, when it's time to replace, smash the old HD.

[kls490]

Morning Bob,

Point taken.

Actually, no one.  I have only this single, standalone desktop, not on any network, and living alone (with my kitty).  So I'm the only one who ever uses or even has access to it.

The only reason I've used that 3-pass wipe option in CCleaner, is solely because of a few recommendations received in another forum a few years ago. 

Thanks for the follow-up info!

[polonus]

Hi kls490,

But CCleaner is also a good option security wise,
because what you have cleansed off cannot bite you in the glorious behind later.
Your system and kitty will thank you afterwards for that.
Have a great week-end,

polonus

[bob3160]

Hi kls490,

But CCleaner is also a good option security wise,
because what you have cleansed off cannot bite you in the glorious behind later.
Your system and kitty will thank you afterwards for that.
Have a great week-end,

polonus

Thoroughly cleaning or wiping any part of a drive that only you have access too,
is a good thing to do if you have a lot of time to waste.
If other people have access to your system or, you plan to pass the drive onto someone else,
wiping it is not only a good idea, it's a must.
I personally have never wiped a HD for the purpose of giving it to a stranger or any one else.
I have purchased a new HD and passed it along to a friend in need.
Considering the price of HD's and the time invested in totally cleaning an old one,
it might actully be cheaper to purchase a new one.

[kls490]

Much obliged to you, Bob and Pol for your respective follow-ups'!

Best wishes to each of you for a happy holiday season! (and a big 'MEOW' from Munchkin)

[REDACTED]

I have never used the wipe functions in CCleaner or any other program. The simple cleanup routines have always been good enough. The only time I would even consider using a total disk wipe would be if I was transferring the entire computer to a new owner and even then , just deleting your user account wipes all of your data and it would take very sophisticated techniques to retrieve any of it. Very very few would be able to do it or even want to. When giving or selling the computer to a trusted person, just the user change should be sufficient. Selling to a stranger or wishing to retain the Windows license would be different. Then I would do the secure wipe. Doing it in any other scenario smacks of paranoia to me.

However, I'm wondering about Windows 10 licensing since it is now tied to the hardware and not to a key. It seems that that would negate the ability to retain the license and use it on another machine. Even if you completely wiped the drive and sold the machine to someone else, would they be able to download a copy of Windows 10, install it and have it automatically activate? It seems that they would if none of the hardware has been changed.

[polonus]

Hi Dch48,

That is also what I mean, Dch48, and where I agree, the "normal cleansing routine" of CCleaner is also a very good security precautionary measure. This software has two sides, just like an adblocker has two sides, it blocks ads but it is also delivering protection against malvertisement and malicious ads. So here you catch two flies....

pol

[bob3160]

Hi Dch48,

That is also what I mean, Dch48, and where I agree, the "normal cleansing routine" of CCleaner is also a very good security precautionary measure. This software has two sides, just like an adblocker has two sides, it blocks ads but it is also delivering protection against malvertisement and malicious ads. So here you catch two flies....

pol

Sorry but I don't follow your statement at all. Agree with what