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