For example, the Pseudorandom Data method is a fast wiping method because it does one pass with random data. The methods differ based on the number of passes and how your data is overwritten. Most of these methods are designed to meet some government data destruction standards such as the US Department of Defense. It’s important to realize that the greater the number of passes, the greater the time it will take to complete your task.Įrasure includes over a dozen methods for data sanitization. However, some people may need to destroy data or hard drives based on defined data wiping standards. In my case, I’m comfortable using any 7 pass method. The main issue is how many times the program will “pass” over their data. Data Overwrite Methodsįor most users, they don’t need to know the erasure method details.
It will move the files to the new location but also erase data from the original location.
This option is useful if you’re moving files from one drive to another. But, if the new file needs less cluster space, a part of the previous file, such as your deleted marketing file, is not overwritten and remains.Īnother option allows you to both move and erase a file or folder.
#Best file shredder 2015 windows#
When you delete a file, you’re allowing Windows to overwrite that area with new content. The room left over is called slack space. However, a file may not fill the cluster. When Windows saves files, it uses file clusters which are units of a fixed size. The option Unused disk space would include data in slack space and unallocated space. The easier the process, the more likely you’ll do it. In addition, the program integrates with Windows Explorer, so you can right-click on a file or folder to delete it. For example, you could tell the program to scrub unused space on Drive C: every Friday at 10:00 PM.Įraser allows you to target data from one of five areas. In addition, to doing data scrubbing on an on-demand basis, you can also create scheduled tasks. This makes the program ideal for regular use or when you donate your computer. Using Eraser, you can delete sensitive data and files using various data overwriting methods and keep your hard drive. For example, most four-year-olds can destroy a hard drive, but not to Dept. Even then, you have to destroy the media correctly. The reason we say practical is that to ensure any data is 100% deleted calls for physically destroying media.
#Best file shredder 2015 free#
Sanitizing Your DataĪ practical approach is to use a free file shredder program called Eraser. The problem is finding out if there is sensitive data in these areas. Windows may leave sensitive data fragments behind when your machine needs more memory to handle large files, display web pages, or print documents.
Most of this processing is done as a convenience to the user. While you didn’t explicitly request Windows to place parts of your files into any of these areas, it does so in its normal processing. Sensitive data from that marketing plan, or any other file, can be found in temporary files, cache, swap files, page files, and slack space. The bigger issue is the unknown, which is where Windows comes into play. The above steps help, but they’re simple ones and address the files you decide to delete. Some people take a step further and defrag their hard drive, so the marketing plan data gets overwritten. If someone used a disk editor, they could see your deleted marketing plans. The file’s first letter is changed, and references are deleted. Not really.Īlthough you deleted the file, the data is still on your computer. Out of sight, out of mind, and out of reach. To get rid of this file, people drag the file to the Recycle bin. For example, the marketing plan they wrote in Microsoft Word. When you think about data, most people think of the files they see in folders. Computers have become the data repositories of our lives, including personal info, photo, security camera footage, intellectual property, financial records, and so on. At the same time, the size of hard drives has exploded. Now, we have corporations downsizing and selling PCs. Few people thought about selling their computers or donating them to others. Hard drives were smaller, and notebooks weren’t as popular.
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