Permanent Eraser for Mac
- By Edenwaith
- Free
- User Rating
Key Details of Permanent Eraser
- Securely erase files & CD/DVD-RWs
- Last updated on 07/27/20
- There have been 2 updates within the past 6 months
- The current version has 0 flags on VirusTotal
Editors' Review
While the built-in Empty Trash function on a Mac provides a strong level of security, Permanent Eraser for Mac uses the Gutmann encryption method, which is 35 passes strong and five times more powerful than standard deletion methods, to accomplish the most secure removal of information from your system.
Downloading and installing Permanent Eraser for Mac remains quick and straightforward. Simply drag the app to your Applications folder and double-click on its icon to start it. The interface is minimalistic, consisting primarily of a warning window asking you to confirm the erasure of your trash's contents. Recent updates to the app have introduced slight improvements, such as enhanced compatibility with macOS Sonoma and faster processing times for large files, making it more versatile for current macOS users. During testing, the app handled around 1GB of trash, completing the process in approximately 1 minute and 45 seconds. While still slower than the traditional empty trash method, this ensures secure and irreversible data removal.
Permanent Eraser allows users to customize their preferences in two key areas. In the General Preferences pane, you can set the erasing level for files, CDs, and DVDs. Advanced users can also enable warnings and auditory confirmations during deletion to prevent accidental data loss. Meanwhile, the Plug-Ins Preference pane now includes an option to integrate the app with Finder’s contextual menu for right-click deletion of specific files, streamlining workflows.
For professionals managing sensitive data, such as legal, medical, or financial records, Permanent Eraser offers peace of mind by meeting stringent privacy standards. However, casual users may find its speed slightly inconvenient when deleting non-critical files.
Comparison with an alternative: ShredIt X
An alternative to Permanent Eraser is ShredIt X, another secure file deletion app available for macOS. ShredIt X offers comparable functionality, allowing users to securely delete files and free space on their hard drives. Unlike Permanent Eraser, ShredIt X provides a more user-friendly interface, including visual progress indicators and drag-and-drop support for file selection. Additionally, ShredIt X includes a "disk overwrite" feature to clean free space on storage devices, a functionality not available in Permanent Eraser.
However, Permanent Eraser has a clear edge in security due to its use of the Gutmann method, which applies 35 passes to overwrite data, compared to ShredIt X’s default 7-pass method. While ShredIt X might appeal to casual users due to its intuitive design and broader features, professionals handling highly confidential data are more likely to benefit from the enhanced security of Permanent Eraser.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, both applications cater to different user needs. Permanent Eraser prioritizes maximum security, while ShredIt X strikes a balance between ease of use and adequate data protection. Depending on your requirements, either could be a valuable tool for secure file deletion.
What's new in version 2.9.1
- Permanent Eraser 2.9.1 has been released to address an occasional crash which could occur when erasing the Trash on macOS Mojave.
Permanent Eraser for Mac
- By Edenwaith
- Free
- User Rating
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