Evidence Eliminator
| Developer(s) | Robin Hood Software |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows[1] |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Privacy |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | http://www.evidence-eliminator.com |
Evidence Eliminator is a computer software program that runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems at least through Windows 7.[2][3] The program deletes hidden information from the user's hard drive that normal procedures may fail to delete.[4][2] Such "cleaner" or "eraser" programs typically overwrite previously allocated disk space, in order to make it more difficult to salvage deleted information.[2] 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[3] to $150 later.[5]
History
Evidence Eliminator was produced by Robin Hood Software, based in Nottingham, England, up to version 6.04.[3]
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.[6][7][8] In response, Robin Hood Software produced a "dis-information page" addressing these concerns.[9] Radsoft, a competitor to Robin Hood, criticised its operation.[10]
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.[2]
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.[11]
References
- ^ "Evidence Eliminator". Archived from the original on 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
- ^ a b c d "Report on the Affairs of Phoenix Venture Holdings Limited, MG Rover Group Limited and 33 other Companies Volume 2 Chapter XXIV" (PDF). 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c "So, Robin Hood Software / Evidence Eliminator actually gone for good this time?".
Runs on Win7 [RS for that], Author is in UK witness protection [not RS for that, but cited RS could be checked]
- ^ Evidence Eliminator. Product Information Archived 2006-07-04 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 19 April 2008.
- ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ When Is An Ad Not An Ad? - Internet-Marketing
- ^ ICQ Lies Update 131 - 136
- ^ Ads Play to Users' Privacy Fears - Wired News
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20030216044138/http://www.evidence-eliminator.com/dis-information.d2w Archived copy of Evidence Eliminators Dis-Information page
- ^ http://radsoft.net/resources/software/reviews/ee/a6.shtml Radsoft: The Evidence Eliminator Documents - Charging Windmills
- ^ Judge: Bratz Jurors Can Hear Evidence on Computer Tampering, retrieved 11 June 2008.