[Questella]

Greetings,

I have a few queries regarding the use of programs such as <Eraser> and <KillDisk> - and several such programs claiming to clean data through over-writing data with multiple passess.

I have formatted my computer, however, have learned that formatting simply writes a new layer on the hard disk- thus not necessarily ridding of the previously stored data.

My first, and main, concern regarding the use of multiple overwriting is the safety of such a method when used regularly for daily deletion tasks. Does using such a method impose that the disk will theoretically have a potentially decreased operational period?

Secondly, how can individuals trust that such programs do not have embedded within them spyware of sorts?

Thirdly, from my understanding 'deletion' occurs not through removal of code from the hard disk, but through overwriting new data on the selected portion of the hard disk. Is there, then, a program that removes the various 'layers' of data?

Lastly, as aforementioned, I re-formatted my computer - and that prior to learning of the insecure file deletion. As such, is there a program that can perform the multiple pass deletion on my hard disk (without files being present)? A point to note is that my computer has a partition - wherein is stored data to enable the user to reformat the computer without additional disks in the state the product distributors sold it - and I would like that portion to remain untouched...

Also, if there are programs that are deemed to be better than the two above mentioned programs, or if one of the above two outweigh the other, please do inform me of such a program. I have also previously (and still do) used CCleaner with much satisfaction , however, am unaware of how it compares to other such programs.