What is wipe FOR LINUX?

Wipe

Wipe is a handy tool for erasing files and block devices. It's built on some solid research by Peter Gutmann. If you're dealing with sensitive info, this software can help you wipe it clean!

Understanding Write Barriers

When using Wipe, there are a few important things to keep in mind. One major point is the need for a write barrier between passes. Wipe uses fdatasync(2) or fsync(2) as this barrier. If those aren't available, it opens the file with the O_DSYNC or O_SYNC flag.

The Importance of Complete Passes

For Wipe to work effectively, each pass needs to be fully written out. This means your drive has to support something like a write barrier or a way to flush the write cache. SCSI drives do a good job here because they support ordered command tags and can disable write caching when needed.

Caution with IDE/ATA Drives

If you're using IDE/ATA drives, they can also flush and disable the write cache. However, not every drive actually disables write caching even when you set it up that way; that's a sign that those drives might be faulty! It's best practice to keep write caching disabled unless your system has battery backup and always shuts down properly.

Download Wipe Now!

If you want to make sure your data is truly gone, check out Wipe! It’s straightforward and effective for all your wiping needs.

How Download Works

Go to the Softpas website, press the 'Downloads' button, and pick the app you want to download and install—easy and fast!