Actually , the free version uses the DOD's ( Department of Defence )

configuration for erasing the files and folders on a HDD. For me , that's

enough security. If DOD feels that this procedure is also enough to keep

prying eyes from trying to recover info,well, I think it is safe to say that you

won't be able to recover any information from the HDD in question.

I guess to really test this theory , you would have to use "Recovery Software".

If your information is that sensitive , then I would make an investment in the

Paid program which does use a more secure way to erase. Actually, they use

the same procedure. This is how it is done:

Once you choose a file or folder to be erased. the Delete on Click deletes

the file or folder once and then proceeds to write over the same area of the

HDD three more times with random 0s and 1s. The paid version I beleive, gives

you the option of going over the erased file or folder up to 35 times. That would be

in a Paranoid Mode. LOL!

Anyway , this is how this one works . Like I said , I have been using this utility for

the last two years in XP and now in Vista and it works very well. If you have large files

or folders to delete, It will take some time to finish the procedure and there is

a progress bar to show you where it's at.

OK, jarh, this is all the info I can provide. Maybe ,like you said , Googling will

bring you a wider variety of programs.

One place you can try is (almost forgot about this one) :

Gizmo's Tech Support Alert. There is aSecurity / Privacy / Encryption, section so, try there.

Google this address: techsupportalert.com. You can peruse this site to your heart's content

and is VERY safe.

FLASHORN.