O&O SafeErase 15: Deletes data and internet traces securely under Windows 10

Anything done on a computer, whether it’s using a program, visiting a website, or changing a file, leaves traces on a PC that can fall into the hands of unauthor-ized third parties. In the new version 15, O&O SafeErase offers a complete pack-age of features designed to delete these traces securely and protect privacy, also under Windows 10 1909.

Files that aren’t deleted securely can be restored very easily and without any special expertise. The integrated O&O SafeErase analysis feature searches for files that weren’t deleted securely and arranges for them to be permanently deleted immediately. In this same way, it’s possible to securely delete files that have long been removed from computers as well as external devices and disks.
With O&O SafeErase 15, O&O Software GmbH releases the latest version of its secu-rity program for destroying data. Disks, partitions, as well as files and folders can all be securely deleted with just a click of the mouse. Cookies or temporary files can also be destroyed in this same way. Specially customized deletion methods have been implemented for use on Solid State Drives (SSDs).
Using internationally recognized methods, sensitive data will be deleted and overwritten so securely that not even highly specialized software can restore it. Files that weren’t securely deleted can be easily reconstructed by unauthorized persons.

O&O SafeErase 15 provides added protection for sensitive data while surfing the internet and supports all current browser versions, such as the new Microsoft Edge Browser based on Chromium. Cookies, form data and internet histories saved by Mi-crosoft Edge can be deleted individually or in bundles.

Version 15 supports Chrome extensions so that any data that might be saved under Chrome can also be deleted. Bookmarks and history under Mozilla Firefox can be deleted separately.

Users wishing to treat their SSDs in the same way they do a hard disk can configure them ac-cordingly with the SolidErase option in the new O&O SafeErase 15.

The integration of O&O SafeErase in Windows Explorer makes it possible to delete files, folders, and entire partitions by right-clicking. An ordinary user account is all that’s needed to take advantage of this basic feature, which makes it ideal for application in companies. Administrator permissions will, however, still be needed for running system critical options such as deleting an entire computer with O&O TotalErase.

O&O SafeErase 15 is fully integrated in the current Microsoft Windows 10 1909 operating system but can also continue to be used under previous Windows versions starting from Windows 8. It supports all current versions of the Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

New and improved features

Deletion of SSDs with SolidErase: The SolidErase feature was designed especially for deleting SSDs. SolidErase does its job thoroughly while still going easy on resources, so that afterwards, deleted data can never be recovered and the SSD itself was under only a minimum of wear.

Deletion of SSDs without SolidErase: The SolidErase feature was developed especially for deleting SSDs while going easy on system resources. Using version 15, SSDs can be deleted as thoroughly as standard hard disks.

Deleting the entire computer with O&O TotalErase: All files, settings, programs, and the operating system itself can be deleted in a way that makes any restoration impossible. Deletion of the entire computer including operating systems is possible without a bootable medium.

Page-specific settings can be deleted (Edge): Permissions and settings can be configured for every individual website. Exceptions created as “DoNotTrack“ along with the setting allowing full-page display will be deleted.

Page-specific settings can be deleted (Firefox): Permissions and settings can be configured for every website, for example, whether passwords are allowed to be saved or pop-ups displayed. O&O SafeErase can be used for deleting these files.

Analysis: Displays temporary files and those files that were not securely deleted. With just a few clicks, O&O SafeErase can clean up a computer so effectively that there’s no chance for such files to be detected and misused.

Instant Erase: Whenever data is deleted by right-clicking, a miniature dialog is displayed and secure deletion begins immediately.

Compatibility: O&O SafeErase is compatible with Windows 10 and explicitly takes into consideration all the requirements of Windows 7 and Windows 8. The Server Edition can be used on all Windows Servers starting from 2008.

Scripting integration: O&O SafeErase can integrate individual scripts for running deletions automatically over command lines.

Six deletion methods: Overwriting data with zeros means less sensitive data can be deleted at great speed. In addition, O&O SafeErase offers a further five methods of deletion, each one differing in the amount of procedures and the type of overwriting employed. Along with standard deletion procedures used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the German Bundesamts für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), the Gutmann Methods are also available, matching the highest security requirements and overwriting data 35 times.

Browser security: O&O SafeErase lists per browser all the stored information – such as cookies, form data and Internet histories – which can be permanently deleted either individually or combined. Once deleted, there are no traces of Internet activity, and online accounts are protected from unauthorized access.

Detailed reports: O&O SafeErase provides detailed reports that indicate the files that were permanently destroyed and the method that was used for doing so. The reports can be made anonymous by, for example, hiding file names to protect privacy.

Pricing and availability

The suggested retail price of O&O SafeErase 15 is 29.95 USD, O&O offers a license that can be used on up to 5 Computers for 49.90 USD. All prices include 19% sales tax where applicable.

The O&O SafeErase 15 Server Edition for use in companies will be available shortly and is priced at 199 USD. A list of all O&O Authorized Resellers can be found under
https://www.oo-software.com/en/order/reseller.

A free trial version of O&O SafeErase 14 is available on the O&O Website: https://www.oo-software.com/en/products/oosafeerase. The trial version can be used for deleting files and folders for 30 days.