CBL Data Shredder
Data Shredder (also known as CBL Data Shredder) is a data destruction utility designed to securely erase a hard disk or digital storage device, completely removing the data and making it unrecoverable. The software utilizes the Gutmann method[1] of destroying data rather than other means of data destruction (such as: ATA secure erase, crypto-shredding, degaussing, physical destruction).
| Developer(s) | CBL Datenrettung |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 1.0.1
/ April 3, 2007 |
| Operating system | Windows, MS-DOS |
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Type | Secure erase |
| License | Proprietary, freeware |
| Website | cbldatarecovery.com |
Wiping standards
| Windows Version | DOS Version | |
|---|---|---|
| United States Department of Defense 5220.22-M National Industrial Security Standard | Yes | Yes |
| Germany BSI Verschlusssachen-IT-Richtlinien (VSITR) | Yes | Yes |
| Bruce Schneier’s Algorithm | Yes | Yes |
| Peter Gutmann’s Algorithm | Yes | Yes |
| RCMP DSX Method | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Method (zeroes, ones, random, number of passes) | Yes | Yes |
International Data Destruction and Demand
Widespread need for secure data destruction meant that language-variants of the program needed to be developed to support demand. Coverage of the product in countries like Germany and Singapore led to excessive downloading. A large increase in electronic waste due to high quantities of old computers being thrown out as garbage in dumps and landfills made security of data stored on hard drives a bigger concern of the general public.[2] Data destruction became a part of regular service offerings from the company as press coverage highlighted the step in the data recovery process.[3]
References
- Rubenking, Neil J. (July 29, 2005). "CBL Data Shredder". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground - PBS Frontline, 2009
- Saving your data after a head crash: What Happens with Customer Data? - Tom's Hardware
