Not a great name, but it is a great tool for keeping all data on your PC safe. Actually, it does the opposite what the name could be mistaken to imply. Why do you need it? Because Windows leaves tracks and traces which can be used to reconstruct files/activities, etc.
“With Privacy Eraser, you have the ability to erase the tracks from leading web browsers, hard drive, commonly system folders, third-party software and more. The tool claims to clean the records forever, which cannot be recovered at all. Its File Shredder function can permanently delete files using such high-level security wiping standards as US DoD 5220.22-M (3 passes), US DoD 5220.22-M (ECE) (7 passes), and Peter Gutmann (35 passes). The drive wiper helps to completely eliminate the free space of a whole disk drive without any possibility of recovery.” – TheWindowsClub
According to the developers, (Cybertron Software):
“With simply one click, Privacy Eraser can quickly erase the Internet cache, cookies, browsing history, address bar history, typed urls, autocomplete form history, saved password and index.dat files of your browser, and Windows run history, search history, open/save history, recent documents, temporary files, recycle bin, clipboard, taskbar jump lists, dns cache, log files, memory dumps, error reporting and much more. Furthermore, Privacy Eraser supports plug-ins to extend cleaning features, you can easily delete the tracks left by any applications by making your own plug-ins. Privacy Eraser embedded more than 200 FREE plug-ins which supports the most popular programs such as ACDSee, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Office, WinZip, WinRAR, Windows Media Player, VLC Player, eMule, BitTorrent, Google Toolbar and many others. With the flexible, highly customizable and open plug-in architecture, you can even customize your own exclusive Privacy Eraser! Privacy Eraser supports popular web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera and supports Microsoft Windows FAT16/FAT32/exFAT/NTFS file systems, completely implements and exceeds the US Department of Defense and NSA clearing and sanitizing standard, to gives you confidence that once erased, your file data is gone forever and can not be recovered.” – Cybertron
It seems to me that this software (screenshots here “Screenshots tab”) saves you the trouble of having a friend come to clean your browsing history if you should….
The only drawback seems to be that there’s no “one click cleans all” button. That will allow you to determine what all gets cleaned, and what doesn’t…which is fair enough. There’s also a “paid for” edition. The differences? The free edition DOES NOT have that security level or the Peter Gutmann Custom wipe methods. The “paid” edition comes with 24/7 Tech support (the free one won’t). The side-by-side feature comparison can be found here and click on the “compare” tab. The paid version costs $39.95(US).
The only other tool which does much of the same thing is Anti Tracks. Its “Pay for” edition includes a Track Eraser, Disk Cleaner, Data Concealer, Spam Eliminator, Track Concealer, Space Analyzer, Uninstaller, Startup Manager, System backup Manager, Duplicate File Finder, Shortcuts Cleaner, Disk Wiper, Password Wallet, File Shredder, and more. Its newest version has added new features:
- Junk files cleaner
- Duplicate files cleaner
- Broken Shortcuts cleaner
- Empty folders scanner and cleaner
- Disk space analyzer
- Disposable email Id creator
- System backups manager
The major differences between the “free” and “pay for” editions can be found here and revolve around an IP concealer and Support options. There are cheaper ways of concealing an IP as the paid version is $29.95(US). To download the free edition: HERE . Just remember, it might come “wrapped” with stuff you might not want so choose the “Custom install” if it’s there.
Download links:
Privacy Eraser (Free): http://www.cybertronsoft.com/products/privacy-eraser/
Anti Tracks (Free): http://download.cnet.com/Anti-Tracks-Free-Edition/3000-2144_4-75759813.html?part=dl-&subj=dl&tag=button
As always, before installing ANYTHING on your computer:
1. Do your own research about the software.
2. Determine your need.
3. Create a restore point in case anything goes wrong during the installation.
4. If you haven’t done a backup within the past week, do one. It’s painless and saves quite a bit of regret.
5. Always choose "Custom" or "Advanced" installation if offered. That will allow you to view whether the software comes in a wrapper with toolbars, home page and search engine switchers or other software/Adware you might not want.
Sources:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/privacy-eraser-free-download
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/anti-tracks-free-software-review-download
and the products websites in the article text.