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1994-11-28
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nuke (1.00) - 'definitive' files eraser
nuke is a small disc utility that allows you to erase files from the disc
surface, filling their sectors with '0's or with a user-definable string.
nuke can also perform the same operation on all the free space of the disc so
that you can delete all the files you want in the usual way (eg. from the
filer) and then nuke the space they previously used on the disc.
Usage
-----
nuke [-options] [-s string] [-n number] pathname
-f erase all the free space on disc
-r recurse in directories
-y don't ask for confirmation before nuking
-s fill nuked sectors with "string" instead of '0'
-v verbose mode
-n overwrite the sectors "number" times
If "pathname" is a directory name the -r options must be specified (unless
you use -f, in which case the directory name will be ignored and the free
space will be nuked).
Why can nuke be useful?
-----------------------
I wrote this simple program since I am going to sell my old A410 and I don't
like the idea that other people may be able to read some of my private data.
In fact 'undeleting' a file is almost impossible on RISC OS, but someone can
use a disc editor and (at least) read the text files (mails, sources, etc.)
and eventually some file that is quite easy to identify (GIF, Draw, etc.).
I think that nuke can be useful in a school or in any other environment where
someone has to use a 'public' computer and doesn't want to leave some private
(or compromising!) data on it.
I implemented the option to overwrite more than once the sectors because I
have been told that it could be possible to read part of the data if the
sector has been overwritten only once (using some particular equipment)... I
think this is a bit paranoic, though!
The possibility to fill 'nuked' sectors with a user-defined string can be
useful to leave some funny message to the eventual curious... especially if
you *know* that someone will try to search for interesting text in the disc!
Since I think that nobody will use nuke, if you use it and/or if you find
some use for it, I will be really pleased to hear from you!
Notes
-----
nuke only works on E-Format discs (it would be useless to use nuke into an
image filing system, just nuke the whole image file!).
The option to nuke the free space can be useful only if you want to 'clean' a
disc (for example before selling it) but the files/directories nuke should be
better for 'everyday use' (!). In fact, overwriting all the free space can be
a long operation (especially if the disc is mostly empty).
If nuke is stopped while it is working it may happen that you still have the
files and the directories but they are already overwritten: in fact, nuke
fills the sectors and then removes the files using a common wipe command.
Disclaimer
----------
nuke has been tested and always worked perfectly. Anyway, if it becomes crazy
and it starts overwriting random sectors, I am sorry but I accept no
responsability for that! Use it at your own risk.
History
-------
1.00 First released version.
Thanks go to:
-------------
- Cristian Ghezzi for the idea to 'nuke' the free space
- Julian Wright that recommended me to include the option to overwrite the
sectors more than once and found a use for it...
Conditions of use
-----------------
nuke is FreeWare: you can use and distribute it freely, provided that the
whole archive is copied unaltered (including this help file).
I can be contacted at the following address:
Sergio Monesi
Via Trento e Trieste 30
20046 Biassono (MI)
Italy
E-mail address:
pel0015@cdc8g5.cdc.polimi.it
If you don't receive a reply (or if the message is bounced) I can also be
contacted at:
sergio@phantom.com
or:
sergio@g386bsd.first.gmd.de