Version 1.8 of NetShred, the privacy utility for the Mac, adds support for multiple overwrites of file names so that the file name is protected to the same degree as the file contents.
Prior to version 1.8, file contents would be overwritten multiple times (as configured by the user) but the file name was only overwritten one time, according to Robert Wiebe of Mireth Technology Corp., the company behind NetShred. In fact, the new version completes the rebranding of this product from the ARC Company to the Mireth Technology.
NetShred, with Browser Watch Technology, is a software utility that permanently erases files you created when using the Internet. Each time it’s run, NetShred erases Web browser cache, browser history files, and e-mail trash. It supports several Web browsers and e-mail applications.
NetShred can be run either manually or automatically — when you quit from your browser or e-mail application, or when you shutdown your computer. The app works with Netscape profiles; will find cache files that are not in the default location; and lets you select the pattern with which the data is overwritten.
NetShred costs US$10 for an individual user. Mireth Technology also produces such utilities as MacVCD and ShredIt.