Permanent Eraser2.9.1

I would NOT use it when you have a SSD !!!

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

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.

I don't think it's fair to rate this product low purely for it's outdated inclusion and hyping of the 35-pass Gutmann method.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.

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.

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!

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?

The 'warning' is no longer coming up, as it did in v2.2.3. Should we delete this preference file? - com.edenwaith.permanenteraser.plist

Ok, what is this "Once your data has been erased, it can no longer be read through traditional means" business? I don't think people interested in using a program like this are concerned with "traditional means." I think it is more likely they are interested in their data being unreadable by "any means." You don't do this kid of erase to prevent that guy on ebay from reading your homework, you do a simple format to zero for that. You use software like this to keep the law at bay. Where can I find a program like that?

How is this different from Secure Erase in the Finder?

Does not run correctly: It starts, asks if I want to secure empty the trash, empties the trash, then quits. Unsatisfactory. There is potential here, but it needs work. Running 10.3.9

Can someone tell me why it is necessary to overwrite a file more than once? Suppose you have a 100MB hard drive. (I know -- it's just an example.) It is filled with a 100MB file. You delete that file, then load another 100MB file onto the drive. The first 100MB is completely gone, right? Because if it isn't, then you would be fitting more than 100MB on the drive -- and if anything significant could be recovered, then you'd be fitting a lot more than the drive's capacity. If any remotely useful data can be recovered after one -- let alone seven -- rewrites, couldn't one find a way to fit more data on a hard drive than its capacity? I don't see why one would need to overwrite more than just once.

EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES and clicks on the wrong icon, or runs the wrong program, once in a while. It is unacceptable for this program not to give us an opportunity to prevent erasing files EVERY time it runs. I was going to use this program to compare it to Secure Empty Trash, but, well, I make mistakes too. Developer, add this teensey little feature and you'll have a useful program. Otherwise, nevermind.

Are file *names* erased permanently, too?

Doesn't launch. Using OSX.2.8 and when I try to launch the app nothing happens. What's upp?

It's not supposed to work in 10.3.8. Panther has this feature built in. The description says this is for people who use 10.2 and earlier systems!

Doesn't work with 10.3.8 - double click icon. Nothing happens. No log files, no message in the console.

Works great. Permanent Eraser 2.1 seems to be a simple shredder. There's no need to do anything but click it, to erase the trash. And, simple drag & drop takes care of file/folders. About the only thing it doesn't do is shred disk (free) space. Also, is it actually using the Gutmann method? 35 passes alone doesn't mean it's Gutmann shredded. There's a pattern that must be followed. Still, as far as free shredders go, hey, it looks good. SecretShredder does the same in demo mode, and more. You can adjust the shredding process. And, if you register it, you would have the added function of being able to shred disk (free) space.

it seems to be working but i dont know why it shreds much faster then SecretShredder, is it because its lower lvl of shredding? settings are same?? hmm.