CyberScrub 1.0

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

This utility proves to be one of the most powerful and flexible among erasers and privacy protectors. It has a handy interface: you can irrecoverably delete files using the right-click Explorer menu or by dragging them to the program window. Privacy Guard enables you to clean traces left in Windows (recently opened files, Run history), your browser (cache, cookies), and various applications such as ICQ and Windows Media Player.

The most remarkable feature is that you can fully control which files and Registry keys are erased, as well as add your own items for deletion. CyberScrub uses several erasing methods, including quick wiping, NAVSO, DoD, and Gutmann, so you can find the balance between speed and security. The program also lets you create your own methods. You can define the number of cleaning passes and, for each pass, any overwriting pattern (byte or text, fixed or random); this is a rare capability for this class of software.

What's more, it's possible to shuffle the order of passes and verify the data has really been deleted. Happily, CyberScrub now offers a built-in scheduler so you can run time-consuming tasks when you're away from your computer. You can lock the program with a password so nobody can occasionally damage your files beyond recovery. CyberScrub is designed for professional use.

Publisher's description

From CyberScrub :

From the developer: "Use CyberScrub to protect your privacy and remove all evidence of your online activity with methods that exceed standards set by the US Dept. of Defense. This fine utility provides the tools you need to easily remove every trace of sensitive data from your computer. In addition to performing secure deletion on specific files and folders, CyberScrub includes a handy wizard interface to step through selections that ensure your privacy. Remove history, photos, chatroom conversations, cookies, temp files, and typed URLs for both Netscape and Internet Explorer, as well as user-defined folders and files. This fine protection package can also clear the Windows swap file and Recycle Bin, free disk space, and delete email. A number of options are provided for fine-tuning the file wipe details, but suffice it to say that the data is securely overwritten, then summarily removed from your computer, making recovery impossible. Other features include command-line support (for automating the process with a third-party scheduler), password protection, shell integration, and configurable confirmation. Excellent documentation is included."

Note: A complete list of features is available here. This shareware version is a 30-day trial. The full version costs 49.95.

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