Archive-name: wipe Submitted-by: ckclark@MIT.EDU Version: 1.0beta Wipe is a useful program for UNIX users who are concerned about the privacy of their files. The UNIX rm(1) typically calls unlink() on files to be deleted, which means that the data blocks are still there to be read. Wipe can unlink() files if you tell it to (the default behavior is to leave the file there), but its main function is to write zeros over the file, so that the disk blocks are blank after the file is removed. This does not guarantee with 100% certainty that everything in the file is gone forever, but it does make it very unlikely on most systems that anyone would be able to retrieve it even with root access and specialized programs. This package can also be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu, in the directory /pub/wipe. Suggestions and bug reports should be e-mailed to: Calvin Clark Enjoy!