CBL Data Shredder vs XErase

CBL Data Shredder is a free utility for erasing hard-drive contents so existing and future software-based recovery tools cannot retrieve them. It overwrites the entire disk with bit patterns, with methods using different numbers of passes. Users can choose a pattern and pass count; the default is one pass of “00”. The program implements a described US Department of Defense 5220.22-M method using three passes with different patterns, and also lists VSITR, Bruce Schneier, Peter Gutmann, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police DSX methods. Its Peter Gutmann implementation makes 35 passes. The Windows version functions exclusively on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. DOS packages are available as a floppy disk maker, a bootable CD-ROM ISO, and a USB flash drive creator; the USB creator requires Windows 7 or later. The free download requires submitting a name and email address, and downloading means agreeing to the licensing conditions. The product warns that modern-drive features may leave some areas inaccessible to the software and vulnerable to hardware-based recovery. Its DSX method alone is not approved for sanitizing classified information, and current standards require physical destruction afterward.

XErase automates secure erasure for individual drives, enclosures and storage arrays. It supports Windows installation, PXE network boot, USB boot and stand-alone erasure stations. Stand-alone deployment offers more than 35 erasure and validation options, including NIST verification support; users can also create methods during use and configure methods based on NIST and DoD approaches. Erasure reports are tamper-proof and available in PDF, XML, CSV and TXT formats. In PXE and USB deployments, one server can remotely control hundreds of systems. PXE workflows can collect system and physical-condition information, run burn-in tests, inject drivers, and automate re-imaging and application installation. Per-device logs stay on the erasure station or PXE server; XErase does not provide a customer-data database. ERP connections include Makor, Razor and CycleLution, and database integration may require additional licensing. XErase requires Windows 10 or Windows Server, an x64 Intel or AMD processor and 8 GB of memory. Pricing is on request; an annual subscription is described, and a free-trial request form is available.