Clean Your Traces

very good
key review info
application features
  • Secure Erasing
  • (9 more, see all...)

Almost everything you do on your computer leaves a trace. Advanced computer users can go straight to the compromising files and learn about what you've been doing on your computer. These files can also be sent to a third party over the Internet in the case you have a spyware somewhere inside the machine.

Considering the above mentioned, I think a $29.95 solution seems quite at hand. Tracks Eraser can lose all the traces that could "incriminate" you in any way. More than that, the software also features a file shredder that allows the user to securely delete the sensitive data from the computer using a multipass overwrite method, thus preventing recovery of the data.

During the 15 evaluation period, the application is fully functional and there are no additional restrictions. Taking a look at the interface, the user can clearly see that the emphasis of the developer was on the functional side of the software. The main window cannot be resized in any way and handling all the options is pretty uncomfortable as everything is crowded in a very narrow space.

The options are running down on the right side of the application window. A special feature Tracks Eraser is sporting is the Test Now function that allows the user to run a test and see what files will actually be erased before getting rid of them completely. This security measure is especially important for neophytes.

Before hurrying up to erasing the files, you should configure the files to be cleared first. Eraser Settings covers the options for cleaning the temporary, cookies, auto-complete memory and history files from six of the most used web browsers: IE (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, AOL, Netscape and SeaMonkey). There is a wide range of engines aligned which should cover the needs of almost every user out there.

My default web browser is based on IE engine so this is the only one I could test and the options available for address bar history, cookies and plugins allowed me to pick my choices concerning what should be eliminated and what not.

Mail is included in the cleansing process also and the user can add the folders available in Outlook Express. A warning is displayed at the bottom of this window, telling you to be careful which mailbox and newsgroup you erase, as the data cannot be recovered.

Windows Erase Settings window sports seven options that cover everything from clearing recent documents history, start menu history, and Windows temporary folder to emptying the Recyle Bin and clearing the Clipboard.

The developer thought of about everything and included a number of applications that usually leave behind logs and traces. The user can also customize this section and delete some of the default applications included and add some of his/her own. The downside of the feature is on display the moment you want to delete some of the items as checking the boxes is not enough to get rid of more than one and you will have to select them one by one and delete them. Taking a look at the picture below you can clearly see that the list is pretty extensive.

For a better cleanup of the computer, Tracks Eraser provides an option to customize the erase operation and add registry items or files and folders items. The editor available lets you browse to the file or folder that you want to be cleaned by Tracks Eraser.

Disk Settings lets the user choose the drives that should be included in the cleaning operation. This way your disks' free space will be overwritten and the sensitive data that could still be recovered, gone forever.

Going deeper into the settings you get to the options of the software. The four tabs available enable configuring the application to load with Windows, schedule the cleaning operation (at a user defined time interval or when a certain process - Windows Startup/Shutdown or browser shutdown - takes place). Security options gives you the chance to set the number of overwrites that should be performed when cleaning. The maximum number of passes is 10, but usually 3 times is enough. The standard used by Tracks Eraser is DoD 5220.22-M. However, your opinion on the security provided by this sanitizing standard scheduling the software to do the cleaning at frequent time intervals ensures failure of data recovery.

The File Shredder option integrates perfectly in Windows shell. The shredder can be set to run a larger number of passes.

The Good

Very good on functionality and features, Tracks Eraser can securely delete all the traces you leave upon using your computer.

The test option allows the user to see first which are the files that are going to be deleted before the actual process takes place.

The Bad

The interface is absolute crap. The user cannot resize it no matter how hard he'd try and despite the fact that the software is functional on Vista, the looks are not rising to the standard.

Maybe adding a file renaming option before free space wipe is performed would increase the security and users would feel safer.

The Truth

Taking into consideration the price and the features Tracks Eraser is equipped with I dare say there is a good balance between the two. The interface however deserves a face lift.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

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user interface 1
features 4
ease of use 5
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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