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Using the Eraser Tool to Remove Confidential

Data
For XP system’s

Use Eraser to permanently delete your files. Eraser allows you to erase sensitive data from your hard drive
by repeatedly 'overwriting' it.

Why use Eraser after you have deleted your files anyway?
When you 'delete' a file, it is not permanently deleted as you would think. When you delete a file, the
operating system does not remove the file from the disk completely, and it may be possible to recover it.
Eraser wipes the file from the hard drive by 'overwriting' it several times.

Note: These Eraser instructions are for Windows XP users only; Windows Vista users, click here.
(Instruction for Mac users are coming soon).

Please make sure you are using the latest version of the Internet Explorer browser (version 7), and that
your browser is not set to default to another browser such as Firefox.

Print the instructions before you begin.

Downloading and Installing Eraser

1. Go to the Eraser Web site at http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php and download the Eraser 5.86a file
to your desktop.

2. Click on EraserSetup32.exe
Note: your browser may be set up to block downloads. If this is the case, Right-click the message and
choose Download File...

Also, you may be asked to select a different mirror as below. Select one and click OK to download Eraser.

3. Save the file to your desktop.

4. Double-click the EraserSetup file on your desktop.

5. Click Run in the Open File window.

The InstallAware Wizard will open.

6. In the Eraser - InstallAware Wizard, select Next.

7. Put a check mark next to the I accept the terms of the license agreement box and Next.

8. Click Next again.

9. Make sure Eraser is set to install in your Program Files (it will do this by default), and click Next.
10. Make sure Eraser is accessible to all users by selecting the Anyone who uses this computer (all users)
option, and then click Next.

11. Click Next again.

12. Make sure there is a check mark in the Run Eraser Now check box.

Select Finish to run Eraser.

13. Click on the Start menu to check that the Eraser program appears in your Program list.
Using the Eraser tool

You can erase deleted Files/Folders (even unused disk space) by creating a 'task' in Eraser.

Use the On-Demand option. This option will allow you to erase when you choose. The other option
'Scheduler' can be configured for automatic erasing.

We recommend, for now, you use the On-Demand option.

1. Click the On-Demand icon (the window title is Eraser [On-Demand])

2. Go to Edit/Preferences/Erasing...
3. Click on the Unused Disk Space tab

i. Select option 3 (US Dod 5220.22-M (8-306. / E).

ii. Make sure Directory Entries option (under 'Overwrite') is not selected.

iii. Click OK.

Now you have one of 2 options: You can erase individual files or erase deleted data on all your drives.

1. Erasing individual files

2. Erasing 'deleted' data on all your drives

Erasing individual files

1. Go to the files that you wish to erase.

REMEMBER: Erasing files is a very long process. We recommend you save all your work, lock your
computer, and let the erase run overnight.

DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED THE FILE: If you think that you may need the
file, simply save it to your EFS space

2. Right-click on the file you wish to delete and click Erase.

3. LOCK YOUR COMPUTER: Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Windows+L and lock your computer after you
select to erase.

Erasing 'deleted' data on all your drives

1. Launch the Eraser program.

2. Go to File/New Task...

3. In the Unused space on drive drop down menu, select Local Hard Drives.
4. From the When finished drop down menu, select Restart.

5. In the Eraser[On-Demand] window, the Local Hard Drives option will appear.
REMEMBER: Erasing files is a very long process. We recommend you save all your work, lock your
computer and let the erase run overnight.

DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED THE FILE: If you think that you may need the
file, simply save it to your EFS space

6. Right-click the Local Hard Drives option and select Run.

7. LOCK YOUR COMPUTER: Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete and lock your computer after you select 'Run' to
erase.

For Vista system’s:

Using the Eraser Tool to Remove Confidential

Data (Vista)
Use Eraser to permanently delete your files. Eraser allows you to erase sensitive data from your hard drive
by repeatedly 'overwriting' it.

Why use Eraser after you have deleted your files anyway?
When you 'delete' a file, it is not permanently deleted as you would think. When you delete a file, the
operating system does not remove the file from the disk completely, and it may be possible to recover it.
Eraser wipes the file from the hard drive by 'overwriting' it several times.

NOTE: These Eraser instructions are for Windows Vista users only; Windows XP users, click here.
(Instruction for Mac users are coming soon.)

Please make sure you are using the latest version of the Internet Explorer browser (version 7), and that
your browser is not set to default to another browser such as Firefox.

Print the instructions before you begin.

Downloading and Installing Eraser

1. Go to the Eraser Web site at http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php and download the Eraser 5.86a file
to your desktop.

2. Click on EraserSetup32.exe

NOTE: your browser may be set up to block downloads. If this is the case, Right-click the message and
choose Download File...

Also, you may be asked to select a different mirror as below. Select one and click OK to download Eraser.
3. Save the file to your desktop.
4. Double-click the EraserSetup file on your desktop.

5. Click Run in the Open File window.

The InstallAware Wizard will open.

6. In the Eraser - InstallAware Wizard, select Next.

7. Put a check mark next to the I accept the terms of the license agreement box and Next.
8. Click Next again.

9. Make sure Eraser is set to install in your Program Files (it will do this by default), and click Next.
10. Ensure Eraser is accessible to all users by selecting the Anyone who uses this computer (all users)
option, and then click Next.

11. Click Next again.

Make sure there is a check mark in the Run Eraser Now check box.

Select Finish to run Eraser.

The following window will appear.

13. Click on the Start menu to check that the Eraser program appears in your Program list.
Using the Eraser tool

You can erase deleted Files/Folders (even unused disk space) by creating a 'task' in Eraser.

Use the On-Demand option. This option will allow you to erase when you choose. The other option
'Scheduler' can be configured for automatic erasing.

We recommend, for now, you use the On-Demand option.

1. Click the On-Demand icon (the window title is Eraser [On-Demand])

2. Go to Edit/Preferences/Erasing...

3. Click on the Unused Disk Space tab

i. Select option 3 (US Dod 5220.22-M (8-306. / E).

ii. Make sure Directory Entries option (under 'Overwrite') is not selected.

iii. Click OK.

Now you have one of 2 options: You can erase individual files or erase deleted data on all your drives.

1. Erasing individual files

2. Erasing 'deleted' data on all your drives

Erasing individual files

1. Go to the files that you wish to erase.

REMEMBER: Erasing files is a very long process. We recommend you save all your work, lock your
computer, and let the erase run overnight.

DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED THE FILE: If you think that you may need the
file, simply save it to your EFS space

2. Right-click on the file you wish to delete and click Erase.

3. LOCK YOUR COMPUTER: Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Windows Icon +L and lock your computer
after you select to erase.

Erasing 'deleted' data on all your drives

1. Launch the Eraser program.

2. Go to File/New Task...
3. In the Unused space on drive drop down menu, select Local Hard Drives.

4. From the When finished drop down menu, select Restart.

5. In the Eraser[On-Demand] window, the Local Hard Drives option will appear.

REMEMBER: Erasing files is a very long process. We recommend you save all your work, lock your
computer and let the erase run overnight.

DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED THE FILE: If you think that you may need the
file, simply save it to your EFS space

6. Right-click the Local Hard Drives option and select Run as administrator.

7. LOCK YOUR COMPUTER: Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete and lock your computer after you select 'Run' to
erase.