Evidence Eliminator

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Template:Infobox Software Evidence Eliminator is a computer software program that runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems at least through Windows 7.[1][2] The program deletes hidden information from the user's hard drive that normal procedures may fail to delete.[3][1] Such "cleaner" or "eraser" programs typically overwrite previously allocated disk space, in order to make it more difficult to salvage deleted information.[1] In the absence of such overwrite procedures, information that a user thinks has been deleted may actually remain on the hard drive until that physical space is claimed for another use (i.e. to store another file). When it was offered for sale, the program cost between $20 early on[2] to $150 later.[4]

History

Evidence Eliminator was produced by Robin Hood Software, based in Nottingham, England, up to version 6.04.[2]

Controversy

There has been controversy surrounding Evidence Eliminator's marketing tactics. The company has used popup ads to market the program, including claims that the user's system was being compromised.[5][6][7] In response, Robin Hood Software produced a "dis-information page" addressing these concerns.[8] Radsoft, a competitor to Robin Hood, criticised its operation.[9]

Legal

On June 1, 2005, Peter Beale, one of the "Phoenix Four" used Evidence Eliminator to remove all trace of certain files from his PC the day after the appointment of DTI inspectors to investigate the collapse of MG Rover.[1]

In a 2011 case, MGA v. Mattel, a federal court found that a former employee used the program to delete information that he was accused of giving to MGA while employed at Mattel.[10]

References

Template:Reflist

  1. a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. Evidence Eliminator. Product Information Template:Webarchive, retrieved 19 April 2008.
  4. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. When Is An Ad Not An Ad? - Internet-Marketing
  6. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. Ads Play to Users' Privacy Fears Template:Webarchive - Wired News
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20030216044138/http://www.evidence-eliminator.com/dis-information.d2w Archived copy of Evidence Eliminators Dis-Information page
  9. http://radsoft.net/resources/software/reviews/ee/a6.shtml Template:Webarchive Radsoft: The Evidence Eliminator Documents - Charging Windmills
  10. Judge: Bratz Jurors Can Hear Evidence on Computer Tampering Template:Webarchive, retrieved 11 June 2008.