![](./../../App_Themes/Erase Scraps Icon Base.png) |
Erase Scraps - Irrecoverably Destroy File Scraps and Data Remains of Not Yet Overwritten Non-True Deleted Files.
| ![Act On File Windows Compatibility Seals Act On File Windows Compatibility Seals](/App_Themes/Act-On-File-Compatibility-Seals.png) |
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This section discusses the Erase Scraps functionality of the Eraser module. |
The Erase Scraps functionality of the Eraser module is used to truly (irrecoverably) delete the content and data remains of files which have already been deleted in a manner
that has not truly erased them (such as via the Recycle Bin). This is done to all files, even if the files were temporary and/or hidden and unknown to the
user. As described in the introduction to the Eraser module, files and folders deleted in the normal
way (after emptying the Recycle Bin) are simply marked as deleted, and thus are no longer accounted for, but the information which they contained remains on the disk
for an indefinite length of time until it is overwritten. Thus, until they are overwritten, these files and folders could be fully or partially restored using suitable
software tools, and as mentioned in the introduction, even when overwritten, information may be recoverable unless it is Truly Deleted.
Usually, software protects the data/work of the user by creating temporary files which the user is not aware of, and which the software deletes after the file is finally saved
with its official name. This mechanism protects the user from losing their data/work through power failure, system crash, or any other unexpected event. The temporary files are
just normal files whose name and location is usually of no concern to the user, and thus the user is usually not aware of their existence. However such temporary files contain
all or almost all of the data in the final document. Thus the temporary files can be a major security threat if not dealt with appropriately. For example, the final document
could be encrypted and the non-encrypted copy destroyed using the True Delete functionality, yet the temporary file created by the software will
be lurking on the disk containing all of the information for an indefinite length of time which can be easily recovered until overwritten. The Erase Scraps module is used to
resolve this security thread.
The Erase Scraps functionality is used to erase any remains of information which is not part of a valid file. It writes random data on every sector of the drive which is not part
of an existing file. Thus, any remains from deleted files are overwritten. The Erase Scraps supports from 1 to 255 pass overwrites. Should one require, they can run it multiple times
on the same drive. Erase Scraps is important to use whenever handling sensitive information, especially when it has been stored on a removable media device such as a flash drive.
Even when sensitive information has been stored encrypted, it is good practice to delete it using True Delete, or Erase the Scraps after a file has been deleted normally so that it
cannot be recovered, stopping the possibility of any future decryption attacks.
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Capture: Erase Scraps |
![Erase Scraps Erase Scraps](Erase-Scraps.png) |
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Operation |
To Erase Scraps on drives, select them in the selected items control of the Erase Scraps functionality. Set your preference for the size of the bubble file
and the number of overwrite passes and click OK to start the erase scraps process.
There are two mechanisms used to overwrite the free segments on a drive. The first of them is to refer to each sector and overwrite it explicitly (similar to
the way that formatting works). The second way is to create a large file which simply overwrite the sectors. The file used in the latter approach is called a
bubble file, since it is inflated like a balloon. Using a bubble file is the faster operation, however the bubble file occupies and holds the space until the
process is completed, and if the system or other software requires space on that drive, it may be temporarily unavailable. For this reason, the Erase Scraps
functionality employs the two methods simultaneously: it first creates a bubble file with a size that is a percentage of total drive size, and after that limit
is reached, it cleans each of the remaining sectors individually. Thus the drive is not blocked for use by the system and other software, yet all data scraps
are erased in the fastest possible way.
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Controls |
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Selection Controls |
![Erase Scraps Selection Controls Erase Scraps Selection Controls](Erase-Scraps-Selection-Controls.png) |
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These controls are used to select and display the drives for the operation. In addition to the Add and Remove buttons, you can use the standard clipboard, drag and drop, and keyboard operations.
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Operation Controls |
![Erase Scraps Operation Controls Erase Scraps Operation Controls](Erase-Scraps-Operation-Controls.png) |
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These controls determine the operation and behavior of the functionality.
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Default bubble file size | Set the default size as a percentage of the drive that must be at most occupied by the existing data and the bubble file. For example if the bubble file size is 90%, and 50% of the disk is filled with valid data, the actual size of the temporary inflatable file will be 40% of the total disk space. Thus, Act On File can ensure that a portion of the disk always available to the system and other software. The remaining free space on the drive will be erased using disk segments operations. The appointed bubble file size on a drive can be edited using the F2 key, or by invoking the context menu on a selected drive in the selected drives view. |
Overwrites | Enter the number overwrite passes, from 1 to 255. |
Window Controls |
![Erase Scraps Window Controls Erase Scraps Window Controls](Erase-Scraps-Window-Controls.png) |
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These controls have generic meanings.
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On Top | Sets and clears the Always On Top flag on the window. This checkbox adds or removes the window from the group of Top-most windows. |
OK | Commits to work and erases the data scraps on the selected drives. |
Cancel | Closes the window without doing any work. The last selected properties are stored. |
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