Alan:
Very nice job on the detailed response. Good of you to take the time.
I understand your logic.
I read in a variety of places at one time that all disk erasers are not created equally - and that even those that all claim to use Guttmann for example, may not be equally effective in the application of Guttmann. I do not have enough technical knowledge to understand the specifics behind that statement however - nor have I read any actual explanations.
I even read some place that while CCleaner is very user friendly, etc., it may not be as "strong" as other erasers out there.
I do not doubt that Recova will likely NOT be able to recover both efforts conducted side by side - that is the Eraser vs. The CCleaner - and both programs will show that they have accomplished the task.
Your last points though hit on the answer though - that there are sophisticated approaches to data recovery that cannot be defeated. Was that your point?
And therefore, if someone truly wants to read what was on my hard drive - they can get it - even if I use Guttmann (with the 35 passes)? If the answer is "yes", than that's really it - I can only take a "consumer-level-approach" to try and protect my data - but only expect that the average idiot thief will be defeated - and not sophisticated techies with money and hardware examination tools.
Or....is there really some software out there that does in fact make it impossible for ANYONE to recover data?
I think I am answering my own question!
In any case, thank you for your thoughtful and detailed response.
With appreciation and regards from the "Colonies"....Corp.