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Permanent Eraser
Permanent Eraser
4.4
0.0
HomeSecurityPermanent Eraser
Permanent Eraser free download for Mac

Permanent Eraser

Version 2.9.1

Securely delete files.

4.4
Based on 22 user ratesRead reviews & comments
Free
Absolutely Free

Permanent Eraser overview

Permanent Eraser allows you to securely delete files. When you normally delete your files in macOS / OS X, the operating system is only forgetting where those particular files are placed, while the data still physically remains on the drive. Beginning with OS X 10.3, Apple enhanced its security by introducing the Secure Empty Trash feature, which follows the U.S. DoD pattern of overwriting data seven times.

Permanent Eraser provides additional wiping methods such as the 3-pass DoE or 35-pass Gutmann algorithms. This utility overwrites your data multiple times, scrambles the original file name, and truncates the file size to nothing before Permanent Eraser finally unlinks it from the system. Once your data has been erased, it can no longer be read through traditional means.

Note: Permanent Eraser is intended to erase files from mechanical hard drives, but is not intended for use on modern SSDs.

  • Implements the Gutmann Method via SRM to remove files
  • Erases the files in your Trash
  • Erases CD-RWs and DVD-RWs
  • Erases files dropped on the application icon
  • Provides a warning dialog before files are erased (Press the Option key to bypass this warning)
  • Localized for English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, and Welsh

What’s new in version 2.9.1

Updated on Jul 20 2020

Version 2.9.1:
  • Fix for an occasional crash when erasing the Trash on macOS Mojave.

Information

License

Free

Size

1.9 MB

Downloads

83926

App requirements

  • Intel 64
  • Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later
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  • Comments

  • User Ratings

bikerbob38
bikerbob38
Sep 30 2020
2.9.1
0.0
Sep 30 2020
0.0
Version: 2.9.1
Does the caution remain not to use this app on an SSD? How about on a Fusion drive?
teamNOOB
teamNOOB
Jun 21 2019
2.8.0
5.0
Jun 21 2019
5.0
Version: 2.8.0
Great app that does what it says ??
tomtomklub
tomtomklub
Jun 10 2018
2.8.0
5.0
Jun 10 2018
5.0
Version: 2.8.0
Valuable utility for those of us luddites stuck with spinning hard drives. Pro-tip for dummies like me: this app works by dragging and dropping files onto its icon in the Applications folder or in the Dock or the Finder sidebar; launching the app by double clicking or via the Dock will only start it up to delete items in the Trash. Once it's completed erasing, the app quits automatically.
anonymous-fox-6287
anonymous-fox-6287
Dec 17 2017
2.7.3
5.0
Dec 17 2017
5.0
Version: 2.7.3
Still a wonderful application for hard drives. Not used on my SSDs but certainly now and then on hard drives used for backup. And it is still free after all those years. Thanks to the developer!
Annie-Walker
Annie-Walker
Nov 20 2017
2.7.2
4.5
Nov 20 2017
4.5
Version: 2.7.2
This developer has kept his program alive and well for many years now. Always used it; always loved it! Good coder, great app! I gave it 5 stars, but the menu only records 4 and a half.
Fishboy
Fishboy
May 21 2017
2.7.1
4.5
May 21 2017
4.5
Version: 2.7.1
Great free app!! Works as described by developer. As mentioned, this is for mechanical hard drives only. Do not use on SSD.
LS7160
LS7160
Dec 21 2015
2.7.0
1.0
Dec 21 2015
1.0
Version: 2.7.0
I would NOT use it when you have a SSD !!!
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Dec 20 2015
2.7.0
0.0
Dec 20 2015
0.0
Version: 2.7.0
The reason Apple removed 'Secure Empty Trash' in El Capitan is, in part, related to the nature of SSDs (Solid State Drives), which are becoming ubiquitous in computing devices. Because of the nature of how SSDs write and erase data, there is no guarantee that a 'Secure Erase' actually removes the targeted data. This problem was written up as a CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures), CVE-2015-5901. You can read about the problem here: http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2015-5901 The article linked above includes 'References' to two further articles at Apple about the situation. NOTE: There is no reason to assume, to my knowledge, that 'Permanent Eraser' is going to permanently 'Secure Empty Trash' either, due to the same situation. Instead, it may simply be needlessly further shortening the life of your SSD compared to ordinary 'Secure Empty Trash.' Here are a couple articles about the situation as well as related information: How to Use “Secure Empty Trash” Equivalent in OS X El Capitan http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/12/secure-empty-trash-equivalent-mac-os-x/ How to replace El Capitan's missing Secure Empty Trash http://www.macworld.com/article/3005796/operating-systems/how-to-replace-secure-empty-trash-in-os-x-el-capitan.html
elle69
elle69
Oct 8 2015
2.6.3
5.0
Oct 8 2015
5.0
Version: 2.6.3
very simple and functionally tool alternative in os x captain
Multimedia-Pimp
Multimedia-Pimp
Sep 25 2012
2.6.1
5.0
Sep 25 2012
5.0
Version: 2.6.1
Never without this app! Developer is doing a great job on a useful piece of free software!
Tjdyo
Tjdyo
Dec 6 2011
2.5.2
5.0
Dec 6 2011
5.0
Version: 2.5.2
Great App does what it says! There definitely needs to be a check box in the preferences to keep the app open even when its not trashing files. So that you can drop files onto its icon in the dock. It would also be great if you could add an Erase Free Space option, as well as for other drive selection.
Drdul
Drdul
Nov 29 2011
2.5.2
5.0
Nov 29 2011
5.0
Version: 2.5.2
I like this! It's a simple app that securely erases files (it defaults to Gutmann 35-pass, but you can change the erase method in prefs to DoD 7-pass if you want) with no muss and no fuss. I like that I can use it without a dock icon or menubar icon if I want, and there is the very useful option to install a service that appears at the bottom of the contextual menu as "Erase" (look for this option in prefs). It's great deal for the price of free. BTW, there's a bug when running ver 2.5.2 on OS X 10.7 Lion that results in only one of several selected files being deleted when Permanent Eraser is activated via the contextual menu service. I wrote to the dev, who responded the same day to say that a fix is coming in version 2.5.3.
SickTeddyBear
SickTeddyBear
Jul 13 2011
2.5.2
4.0
Jul 13 2011
4.0
Version: 2.5.2
I don't think it's fair to rate this product low purely for it's outdated inclusion and hyping of the 35-pass Gutmann method. Apple themselves make the same erroneous claims in Disk Utility, so they set the precedent. If Apple doesn't know any better, how can small developers be expected to? In addition, this tool adds simplicity and convenience to what is more awkward and time consuming to accomplish via a combination of srm at the command line, Secure Empty Trash in the Finder, and Erase Free Space in Disk Utility. You can do the same things without this utility, but this utility makes it so much easier.
Robk
Robk
Jan 20 2011
2.5.1
0.5
Jan 20 2011
0.5
Version: 2.5.1
I understand that Peter Gutmann NO LONGER recommends his 35 pass wipe on MODERN hard disks. His old 35 pass method was optimized for OLD hard disks NOT modern SATA Hard disks. It still amazes me that people still think his 35 pass method is better.
Harv
Harv
Dec 12 2010
2.5.0
3.5
Dec 12 2010
3.5
Version: 2.5.0
Only one issue- I find that once launched, it erases so fast that I am unable to get to the Preferences before PE quits. Ands for me, that is very important. When that is resolved, five stars!
Dom21
Dom21
Jun 13 2010
2.4.2
0.0
Jun 13 2010
0.0
Version: 2.4.2
From the developer's description: "Once your data has been erased, it can no longer be read through traditional means." But can it be read through *any* means? That is the question.
Wjb3wvu
Wjb3wvu
Dec 31 2009
2.4.1
0.0
Dec 31 2009
0.0
Version: 2.4.1
Installed just as directions specified - drug program icon into app folder. Then installed plug-in. Program works fine, but only by launching it. I can't get the plug-in to work through services, nor can I install the program icon into the menu bar. Is this a limitation with snow leopard?
Xpiaxpiax
Xpiaxpiax
Jan 5 2009
2.3.5
0.0
Jan 5 2009
0.0
Version: 2.3.5
hey guys. i'm new to the mac stuff, and i came across the Permanent Eraser application and am wondering what the heck "re-write 35 times" means.... what is this whole "re-writing" business? does this take up more space on my hard drive? and what's the meaning of re-writing it 35 times as opposed to 7 times by Secure Empty Trash? i have no idea what any of this lingo means...can somebody please explain this to me so i know i'm not screwing up my computer somehow...thanks
Appscout
Appscout
Nov 18 2008
2.3.4
0.0
Nov 18 2008
0.0
Version: 2.3.4
The 'warning' is no longer coming up, as it did in v2.2.3. Should we delete this preference file? - com.edenwaith.permanenteraser.plist
Gpstein1
Gpstein1
Feb 10 2008
2.3.3
5.0
Feb 10 2008
5.0
Version: 2.3.3
GREAT !! Easy, reliable.
zlazkow
zlazkow
Jun 29 2023
2.9.1
5.0
Jun 29 2023
5.0
Version: 2.9.1
teamNOOB
teamNOOB
Jun 21 2019
5.0
Jun 21 2019
5.0
Version: null
tomtomklub
tomtomklub
Jun 10 2018
5.0
Jun 10 2018
5.0
Version: null
anonymous-fox-6287
anonymous-fox-6287
Dec 17 2017
5.0
Dec 17 2017
5.0
Version: null
Annie-Walker
Annie-Walker
Nov 20 2017
4.5
Nov 20 2017
4.5
Version: null
Fishboy
Fishboy
May 21 2017
4.5
May 21 2017
4.5
Version: null
trottta
trottta
Nov 9 2016
5.0
Nov 9 2016
5.0
Version: null
LS7160
LS7160
Dec 21 2015
1.0
Dec 21 2015
1.0
Version: null
elle69
elle69
Oct 8 2015
5.0
Oct 8 2015
5.0
Version: null
VRH
VRH
Feb 21 2015
4.0
Feb 21 2015
4.0
Version: null
Roes
Roes
Dec 28 2013
4.5
Dec 28 2013
4.5
Version: null
Audiomuso
Audiomuso
Mar 27 2013
5.0
Mar 27 2013
5.0
Version: null
Multimedia-Pimp
Multimedia-Pimp
Sep 25 2012
5.0
Sep 25 2012
5.0
Version: null
ImCr
ImCr
Feb 25 2012
4.5
Feb 25 2012
4.5
Version: null
Tjdyo
Tjdyo
Dec 6 2011
5.0
Dec 6 2011
5.0
Version: null
Drdul
Drdul
Nov 29 2011
5.0
Nov 29 2011
5.0
Version: null
SickTeddyBear
SickTeddyBear
Jul 13 2011
4.0
Jul 13 2011
4.0
Version: null
Robk
Robk
Jan 20 2011
0.5
Jan 20 2011
0.5
Version: null
Harv
Harv
Dec 12 2010
3.5
Dec 12 2010
3.5
Version: null
Gpstein1
Gpstein1
Feb 10 2008
5.0
Feb 10 2008
5.0
Version: null
Splain
Splain
Jan 7 2007
5.0
Jan 7 2007
5.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Oct 23 2005
5.0
Oct 23 2005
5.0
Version: null
Free
Absolutely Free
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