Software Review and Free Download | Security Solutions | Drive Discovery

» Review DriveDiscovery 1.1                    
(October 2006)

DriveDiscovery

This powerful drive analysis software will list all historically deleted but potentially recoverable files and data. Users have the discretion to selectively erase otherwise recoverable files to US government standards, as well as the ability to recover files that have been lost or deleted.
In addition, Drive Discovery radically extends recycle-bin functionality with its flexible integrated manager. Users can opt to wipe all files automatically when they’re sent for deletion, or alternatively choose to selectively eradicate (or recover) specified files.

And for those who prefer their drives regularly cleaned of all residual data traces, there is a fast and powerful hard disk clean-up utility which will erase all previously deleted (but otherwise recoverable) data. Drive Discovery defeats common NTFS caching issues, and can even clean underneath existing files, leaving them safe, intact and defragmented!

Drive Discovery recognises and responds to everyone’s need to control what’s on their computers. This easy-to-use product offers a level of secure control over drive contents not previously available. The 30 day trial version is fully enabled and even after expiry, the recycle-bin manager will remain completely functional as a ‘thank-you’ for taking the time to download the software.

File Recovery & Drive Cleaning program

DriveDiscovery Features :

SystemGuard Protection

The SystemGuard screen is the very first screen you see when you open Drive Discovery. On it you'll see a number of illustrated interactive icons that enable you to quickly switch on (or off) aspects of the program which need SystemGuard to function.

Think of SystemGuard as a master switch. When “on”, SystemGuard places itself in your system tray. Activating and deactivating is easy – there's a control for it on the front screen. But if its inactive, automated wiping of the recycle bin will not work. Nor will other rather clever things we'll be introducing in the near future!

SystemGuard has been designed to use virtually no system resources, so leaving it on all the time and having it load when you start your computer is sensible. It also gives you fast access to recycle bin controls by right clicking on the system tray icon as well as a quick visual reference so you can see if the bin wiping is enabled or not.

The Recycle Bin Manager
The recycle bin is sometimes thanked and occasionally cursed by users. It's the protected area of your computer where files go when they are about to die but you may, just may, need to get them back again.

We've designed the bin manager to radically extend its functionality and ease of use. As far as we're aware, Drive Discovery is the only product which enables you to open the bin, examine its contents and selectively eradicate any trace of particular files – without scrapping the lot. Users can leave the auto-wiping disabled and manage the bin contents directly, recovering and erasing at will; or can switch on the auto-wipe which will securely erase everything sent to the bin irrespective.

It's up to you how you use it though. If you habitually recover files, we recommend using the manager with auto-wiping switched off. You'll find it powerful and secure without junking those files you may just need to drag back to life.
Special Offer...

The Bin Manager remains fully enabled after expiry of the trial period, even if you don't buy a license. It's our thanks to you for taking the time to evaluate our software.

The Data Recovery Manager
When files are designated as deleted by the Windows operating system, they are not actually erased from the drive, instead the space that the file occupies is designated as being reusable by the system. This means that any file you delete is easily recoverable until such time as it may be overwritten, and this can compromise your privacy.

Essentially, the Data Recovery Manager enables you to see exactly what files on your hard drive can be recovered. If you don't wipe your drive, there is every possibility you'll be able to get back data you've previously deleted or accidentally lost. Conversely, you can see exactly what's recoverable and eradicate all traces of selected files at will.

There is also a file slacks wiper here. The 'slack' is the space between the end of the file and the end of the last cluster that the file is written to.
Slacks will invariably contain fragments of previous files, perhaps passwords, maybe web site information, bits of media etc.. Conventional drive wiping utilities do not touch the slacks, but Discovery does. You can even open them up and have a look at what they contain if you're interested!
Taken together, wiping slacks and then wiping all recoverable data will give you a clean drive with no recoverable files or data on it whatsoever.

The Drive Clean-up Manager
For those who like a crystal clean drive, users can selectively run any number of the cleaning tasks listed. Simply check the boxes and start cleaning. For those who are more technically knowledgeable – you'll find this next part interesting.

While Drive Discovery will happily analyse FAT drives just as easily as NTFS, the latter is now the most commonly used file system and there are some little known aspects of the way NTFS works which you should be aware of.
For example, small files are sometimes written directly into the file table itself, and conventional wiping tools that simply fill up disk space won't necessarily touch these. Also, the file table is written to several protected areas of the hard disk and is self-repairing. Whilst it's a good robust system, this self repairing aspect means NTFS caches recent data writes and this can result in data, in the form of complete files, being written back to the drive after wiping.

Needless to say, we address these issues, deleting data files from within the file table where necessary, and preventing cache write-backs which would otherwise occur with more traditional 'wiping' software. If you have another drive cleaning or housekeeping utility it may be interesting to run it, and then run our analyser afterwards to see what's recoverable.

Deep Clean & Defragmentation

Drive Discovery also addresses an often overlooked issue.

Magnetic media such as hard disks can still contain resonance traces of previously deleted files even when overwritten with new data. Traditional free space cleaning tools work by wiping the areas currently unoccupied by files. But because they leave populated areas untouched, any traces of historical data cannot be erased if the space on the drive has been subsequently overwritten by newer files.

Additionally, fragmented files (i.e. files written to a number of non-contiguous sectors on a hard drive) will impair hard drive performance and slow your system. This feature optimizes drive performance at the same time as delivering enhanced drive security by cleaning underneath these files to remove residual data traces. As far as we're aware, Drive Discovery is the only product designed to defragment files securely to cleanly sterilized areas of your drive.

 

Size : 0.9 MB Download DriveDiscovery 1.1

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