Securing your data is one of the habits any computer user should have, especially if the data can result in harmful action if it were to fall into the wrong hands. There is a series of softwares that can protect the theft of the files from your computer. A good firewall offers protection against online attacks quite often. An anti spyware prevents the infiltration of this type of malware in your computer thus safekeeping the sensitive data.

Online attacks are among the most feared as they imply remote control and the attacker is generally very hard to find. But access to your computer can be also gained in your very environment and the thief could be among your staff. So keeping your files protected could be more difficult. Fortunately, there are some software that are specially designed for this kind of issue. They simply encrypt the files on your computer and they can be opened only if the right password is introduced.

The software is absolutely free of charge and can be used at home or in the office, no strings attached. Formerly known as File Buddy, the application aims at secure deleting the sensitive data from your hard drive and encrypting the files you want to keep away from prying eyes.

The interface is definitely not the strong point of the application. Its Windows 98 look almost makes you forget about the new Aero theme from Vista. But despite its aspect, the user can handle the program very well as all the options are out into the open and the help file is good enough to give you answers related to using File Waster.

The security offered in deleting the files includes overwriting the deleted files once (that is pretty shabby in my opinion), standard mode (this mode is secure enough if you are thinking about making a compromise between speed and security), US DoD 5220.22-M (used by the United States Department of Defense and is among the most secure methods available in the program) and hardware proof (the ultimate security; this method uses the most passes and makes the files extremely difficult to recover).

Depending on the utilized method, the wipe function will take longer to complete or less. Hardware proof is the most secure method offered by File Waster and takes the longest time to complete.

Encrypting and decrypting the files is supported in the program and despite the fact that the folders are not wiped during the erasing process (only the files are secure deleted and the folders are left empty on your computer), File Waster can encrypt entire folders with everything they contain (files and folders). A directory which shelters folders and files is called "cabinet". Creating them in the application is easy. Drag and drop support eases the process of completing your action. Suffice to drop a folder containing sensitive data in the application's window and name it by pressing "New" button.

There is no limit to the number of cabinets to be added. By pressing "Open," you will be able to select the needed folder, decrypt it and work with it freely. In order to encrypt and decrypt the cabinet or any other folder or file, it is required to input the password twice. The encryption options include compressing the folder/file before encryption, recurse sub-directories and encrypting the file names. The last option is extremely useful because the files will be unrecognizable.

The great thing is that if you change their names, they will still be decrypted by File Waster. The only issue will be the extension. The encrypted file with a changed name, once decrypted, will no longer have an extension. If you nail it right, then the software with which that extension is associated will open the file with no problem.

It seems that during the file encryption, the application uses a certain alphabet and messing with it leads to wrong translation.

All in all, File Waster behaved and did a pretty good job. It lacks some multiple pass wipe methods I have seen in similar commercial softwares, but it succeeds in doing what it boasts.

The Good

File Waster is free and truly helps you in securing your data. The "cabinets" feature eases the work of the user a lot.

The Bad

The interface needs a little more work. Only the content of the folders is wiped from the disk, the folders have to be deleted manually.

I wish there were more options when it came to wiping the files. Adding some options that allowed the user to set the number of overwrites would add to its value by much.

Additionally, file name encryption allows the "intruder" to mess with the names and do some serious damage. Restricting the access to changing the file name would also be a wish come true.

The Truth

Considering the utility of the software, I would say it is definitely worth a download. Our test revealed that the files wiped using Standard mode could not be recovered.

It is free and does a great job.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action: