File recovery & secure deletion software - any good?

[Osem]

Hi all - just picked up 2 very cheap CD Roms from a company called Greenstreet. Media Recover claims to be able to recover/repair numerous types of image/audio/video files and Media Wipe claims to securely and permanently delete all windows files and folders using a corporate/military grade process.

Thankfully I haven't had to use either yet but I was just wondering if anyone out there has heard of or used these products and, if so, how they perform?

I am sure there is a lot of free stuff out there on the net which makes similar claims but just £5 for the 2 programmes was an offer I could not refuse.

Thanks for any feedback as always!

well you will find out when you need to recover the media lol
As far as secure deletion all this software will do is write over the area of the disk the data was on over and over im sure anyone with the right tools will still be able to recover it but not the average Joe. I use windows washer and use there bleach feature under Guttman settings writing over 35 times

[Halcyon]

The only firm way to delete everything is to get out your tools and open up the Hard drive and then scrape the discs with knives and bend them backwards, blow torch them, etc. Basically, make them unusable.

[Osem]

Cheers for the feedback guys.

Originally Posted by Halcyon

The only firm way to delete everything is to get out your tools and open up the Hard drive and then scrape the discs with knives and bend them backwards, blow torch them, etc. Basically, make them unusable.

One reason I still have all the hard drives I've ever owned but I'm not sure my data is quite worth all that effort

I'm more interested in the efficacy of the recovery programme tbh.

try it and see delete something(not important) empty your bin and see if you can recover it you should be able to if it is any cop