Infected PCs had their hard drives wiped out, erasing data and software.

CNN: FROM THE WEB

The government said it is simply providing the software free of charge, as a pre-installed file on computer hard drives or as a CD, to give users to choice to install the software.

CNN: China delays Green Dam Internet filter

Along with ridiculously high-capacity external hard drives, both Mac and Windows users have simple built-in software to make backup a set-it-and-forget-it affair.

ENGADGET

Eventually, the technicians had to use a software tool called BCWipe to completely erase the GCS' internal hard drives.

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Included free of charge with all of Iomega's eGo and Prestige Portable Hard Drives is the Iomega Protection Suite, a one-stop portfolio of backup and anti-virus software giving users added protection for their photos, videos, music and other files.

ENGADGET: Iomega pushes ahead with USB 3.0 transition, promises to keep drives at USB 2.0 prices

Meanwhile, computer companies often see the networks as an opportunity--a new type of software to sell, and one of the main reasons users want to buy ever bigger hard drives.

FORBES: LimeWire, BitTorrent and BearShare...Oh My!

Firefox has become one of the most important pieces of software around today as consumers shift from using their PCs to run applications living on their hard drives to a communications device able to connect with applications living on distant servers.

FORBES: Why Firefox Matters