The Wipe Methods

This method is based on Peter Gutmann's article 'Secure Deletion of Data From Magnetic and Solid-State Memory.' The data will be overwritten 35 times using the patterns and methods described in the article. While this method takes the longest amount of time, it is the most secure method available and should be used for all files that contain sensitive information.

This method is based on Bruce Schneier's algorithm. It relies on a cryptographically secure random number generator to wipe with random data. It will overwrite a file 7 times. It is very secure and should be used for private files.

This method is based on the U.S. Department of Defense's standard 'National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual' (US DoD 5220.22-M ECE). It will overwrite a file 7 times. This method incorporates the DoD-3 method. It is secure and should be used for general files.

This method is based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization standard (NATO). It will overwrite a file 7 times. Not as secure as the DoD-7 method as it only defines one random pass. It is secure and should be used for general files.

This method is based on the German standard (VSITR). It will overwrite a file 7 times. Not as secure as the other 7-pass methods since it defines no random wipes. It is secure and should be used on general files.

This method is a subset of the Gutmann 35-Pass method. It takes the most effective patterns from the 35-Pass method and breaks them down to only 5 passes. It is secure and should be used for general files.

This method is based on the U.S. Department of Defense's standard 'National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual' (DoD 5220.22-M E). It will overwrite a file 3 times. This method offers medium security, use it only on files that do not contain sensitive information.

This method is based on the U.S. Navy standard (NAVSO P-5236-26-MFM). It is designed for MFM encoded drives. It will overwrite a file 3 times. This method offers medium security, use it only on files that do not contain sensitive information.

This method is based on the U.S. Navy standard (NAVSO P-5236-26-RLL). It is designed for RLL encoded drives. It will overwrite a file 3 times. This method offers medium security, use it only on files that do not contain sensitive information.

AFSSI5020 (3-Pass)
This method is based on the U.S. Air Force standard (AFSSI5020). It will overwrite a file 3 times. This method offers medium security, use it only on files that do not contain sensitive information.

This method will simply overwrite a file one time with random data before deleting it. It is not secure and should only be used for unimportant files.

This method will simpley overwrite a file with zeros before deleting it. It is not secure and should only be used for unimportant files and for quick free space locks.

XL Delete allows you to define your own wipe methods. Please see Defining Custom Wipe Methods for more information.