Wiping algorithms

SecureRemove supports many wiping algorithms.
From fast single pass to complex 35 pass algorithms.

On this page we explain each of them.
Which one to choose depends on the importance of the data.
Simple wiping methods are fast while complex can be really slow but more secure.

1-Pass Zero - The method is a fast but simple and overwrites the entire file data in one pass only.
  • pass 1: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00)

    • 1-Pass Random - The method is same as 1-Pass Zero, but overwrites the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.
  • pass 1: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 2-Pass GOST R 50739-95 - The Russian Federation standard that performs 2 overwrite passes.
  • pass 1: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00).
  • pass 2: overwrite the entire file data once with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 3-Pass DoD 5220.22-M (E) - The US Department of Defense standard using 3 overwrite passes.
  • pass 1: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00).
  • pass 2: overwrite the entire file data with high bytes (0xFF).
  • pass 3: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 4-pass RAZER (RAndom ZERo) - Overwrites the data with pseudo random bytes and binary zeros.
  • pass 1-3: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.
  • pass 4: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00).

    • 7-pass Schneier - Wipes the data in 7 passes with pseudo, zero and high bytes.
  • pass 1: overwrite the entire file data with high bytes (0xFF).
  • pass 2: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00).
  • pass 3-7: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 7-pass BSI/VSITR - German Federal Office standard using 7 overwrite passes.
  • pass 1,3,5: overwrite the entire file data with binary zeros (0x00).
  • pass 2,4,6: overwrite the entire file data with high bytes (0xFF).
  • pass 7: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 7-pass DoD 5220.22-M (ECE) - US Department of Defense standard using 7 overwrite passes.
  • pass 1-3: overwrite the entire file data with DoD 5220.22-M (E).
  • pass 4: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.
  • pass 5-7: overwrite the entire file data with DoD 5220.22-M (E).

    • 33-pass Pfitzner Method - Wipes the data 33 times with pseudo random byte passes.
  • pass 1-33: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.

    • 35-pass Gutmann Method - Wipes the data in 35 passes with pseudo, zero and high bytes.
  • pass 1-4: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.
  • pass 5-31: overwrite the entire file data with predefined patterns.
  • pass 32-35: overwrite the entire file data with pseudo-random bytes.