NetShred X | Mac: How to use additional features


How to Erase Browsing Data using the Government Overwrite Standards Compliance Feature

When erasing browsing data, you might prefer to erase using a Government Standard compliant overwrite pattern. NetShred X can be configured to comply with more than one standard at the same time. Here’s a few things you show know.

US Department of Defense 5220

  • NetShred X can be configured to comply with the US Department of Defense 5220 shredding standard.
  • Keep in mind thatNetShred X is always compliant to the US Department of Defense 5220 Clear shredding standard.
  • Erasing data with US Department of Defense 5220 Sanitize standard compliance enabled will take longer

NSA

  • Since erasing with this standard requires multiple passes, it will take longer.

Gutmann

  • NetShred X can be configured to comply with the Gutmann shredding standard.
  • Please don’t use an excessive number of overwrites. For several years people have misinterpreted the Gutmann paper and thought they need 35 overwrites. This so frustrated Gutmann that he amended the paper to clearly state that he meant there were 35 ways to overwrite and not that 35 overwrites were required. Using such an excessive number of overwrites serves only to slow down the process and provides no extra protection. We only provide this option for marketing purposes (to say “we have it too” on side by side product comparisons) and we do not recommend the use of 35 overwrites at any time.

Requirements

  • NetShred X

Instructions

  1. From the “NetShred X” preferences dialog, click the “Control” tab and check the appropriate check box to enable standard compliance.Default value is “Off”, which is compliant with US Department of Defense 5220 Clear shredding standard.
  • To enable DOD 5220 Sanitize Standard compliant shredding, tick the “DOD 5220 Sanitize” checkbox
  • To enable NSA compliant shredding, tick the “NSA” checkbox
  • To enable Gutmann compliant shredding, change the “Number of Writes” preference to “35”.


How to check the current status of the NetShred X

  1. To check on the current status of the NetShred X, click on the NetShred X icon in the dock. This will bring it to the foreground so you can see the status.

How to enable/disable the “Confirm before shred” feature

NetShred X can be configured to require confirmation before it will erase browsing data. This is particularly useful when you first use an internet eraser, since once an item has been erased, it cannot be recovered – even by us. By default this feature is set to “On”.

To enable “confirm before shred”, follow these instructions:

  1. From the “NetShred X” preferences dialog, click the “Control” tab and check the “Confirm Shredding” tick box.
  2. Each time you try to erase browsing data, you will have to confirm before continuing.

To disable “confirm before shred”, follow these instructions:

  1. From the “NetShred X” preferences dialog, click the “Control” tab and uncheck the “Confirm Shredding” tick box.
  2. Each time you try to erase browsing data, you will NOT have to confirm before continuing.

NetShredX Help