Data erasing software

[Lava-Planet]

Hi

I'm new here so I would like to suggest a topic about software that remove unwanted files and folders in a secure way. I used to use CCleaner, but after some controversies about data collection and malware infection, I started using BleachBit, which is not as user-friendly as the former but it is the only software of this kind I know. Is is okay to use it? Or should I resort to this tool on third-party antivirus?
I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I have little knowledge about programming and etc, I'm simply an enthusiast of privacy and security online and I always follow your recommendations of software, web browsers, and so on

Keep up with the awesome work!

[d4rklynk]

IMHO, Bleachbit is the best software out there, because it is only in use when you launch it. CCleaner and other are always in background and remove files that it should'nt. Cache is good, you shouldn't remove it unless your apps get slower or buggy.
That said, you should use it only for the system, not for app like web browsers (IMO)

[SkewedZeppelin]

Those cleaner tools are kinda useless. Bleachbit of those options is the best, and can even use the rules from CCleaner if you add them manually I believe.

As for actual file erasure, this is a pretty nuanced topic depending on drive mediums.
I have some steps here: https://divested.dev/index.php?page=data_erasure

[Lava-Planet]

Thank you for your kind and fast replies!

@d4rklynk, I trust BleachBit; however, since it is so fast in deleting files, sometimes I wonder whether or not all the data about it is truly gone. Some time ago, I used Kaspersky's file destroyer, and not only did it give me options about the method of deletion (like Bruce Schneider Algorithm and DoD Pattern 5250.22-M), but it also took a long time to erase them. I know I shouldn't judge the "quality" of the tool based solely on the time it took to perform a certain action, but it kept me wondering about the different procedures and, somehow, it made me second guess BleachBit

@SkewedZeppelin, thanks for the tip, I'll look into it. I just wanted a more straightforward approach to the problem since, like I said before, I'm no tech-savvy and I know almost nothing about coding, programming and scripts. Anyway, I'll accept any hints you all can provide me

Again, many thanks to you all. I can only hope the PrivacyTools team accept the suggestion and create this category

[d4rklynk]

Those cleaner tools are kinda useless.

You kinda right
The "right way" is to reinstall your OS every feature update tbh. Windows 10/11 every year; and Fedora twice a year for instance. That's the spirit, I considering BleachBit when people doesn't want to reinstall their system for a long time.

but it also took a long time to erase them

youtube-dl is way slower to dl video than yt-dlp
So yeah if it's faster, it's either well-developped or other bad-developped

[ghost]

If your drive is encrypted, I don't really see the benefit of software like bleachbit, ccleaner, etc. A lot of OS's let you delete temp files from the settings, I think just use the built-in options for that rather than third party software. Also it's probably not a good idea to use third-party antivirus; they tend to require you to give them very low-level access to your system which makes them a security liability (and you're allowing a third party company to scan all your files).

[Lava-Planet]

Yeah, but I'm not talking about temporary files; actually, I was referring to sensitive files like browser history, chat conversations, records of transactions and even files we might create. As far as I know, we have to delete that kind of information manually, instead of simply using the OS's settings. Sorry if this wasn't clear in my request.
I found some pretty good information about data erasing software in the old PrivacyTools site, namely here and here
Anyway, thank you very much for your reply.

[ghost]

I think this topic warrants its own article.

[dngray]

This being taken care of in privacyguides/privacyguides.org#1256