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The PGP Wipe utility is of the type of file shredder that fills the length of the file with binary garbage. Unfortunately, it does leave one telltale file name behind which shows the full file name. That's no good. Here are the seven text files in the directory !!Testa that I'll wipe with PGP.
(I use text files because it is simpler to look into the "shredded" file with Dirctory Investigator if the file is a simple text file. Those of us who haven't a clue of what to look for in a JPG or program file can easily discover if the eraser has left any simple to read text inside a shredded file.) Select the files to be shredded and use the right click menu to choose PGP. (This is for those new to PGP who might not have noticed the WIPE utility in the right click menu.)
This is the dialog box that pops up after selecting WIPE.
Here is the result of the wipe.
You'll notice that PGP acts like Evidence Eliminator and Window Washer in that it does not zero out the file length, but rather fills the size of the file with binary junk - and leaves a telltale file name in it's wake. That's a baddy. DirSnoop shows us that the shredded files have kept the exact size they were before shredding.
Notice also that like EE and Window Washer, PGP created an extra file. It seems this type of shredder creates a temp file for doing it's shredding. Recover and save one of the shredded files with either File Recovery or Directory Snoop. Then take a look into the file with Directory Inspector. But first you will have to recover it with File Recovery. (Links to these two freebies on on THIS page.) (Full directions for using File Recovery and Directory Inspector are on this are on THIS PAGE. If you have DirSnoop, recovering files is even easier. After saving the shredded file, open it with Notepad. You can see that the file is now filed with binary garbage.
Viewing one of the files with Directory Investigator shows the scrolling right hand column to contain only random binary junk, confirming what Notepad already has shown us.
It would seem that PGP Wipe does an adequate job of destroying file contents. However, I have to say once more, leaving a full file name of one of the files is not good. You can choose the number of passes by left clicking on the padlock tray icon and choosing OPTIONS | GENERAL. The setting for the number of passes in at the bottom of the dialog box. If you want to enter the more secure world of PGP, here are the best pages that I know of to get you started.
http://webpages.charter.net/archer/USA/
Finally, this one note regarding PGP, or any security program: "Even on systems with virtual memory, PGP correctly writes over all the contents of the file. It is worth noting that some application programs save the file prior to encrypting it and may have leave fragments of the file on your disk in locations which are no longer considered part of the file. Also, be aware that many programs automatically save files in progress, so there may be back up copies of the file that you want to delete." © 1999 Networks Associates Technology, Inc. Go back to menu on HOME page. - END - |
