Did you know that even when you «delete» files from your computer, they can still be found on your hard drive? In many circumstances, lost files may be restored with little effort since most computer operating systems just destroy connections to the data, making them no longer visible to you, but the real data remains on the disc. Restoring the links is all that is required to gain access to the destroyed data.

This form of deletion is acceptable in most cases when security is not a problem, but you wouldn’t want someone to recover your bank accounts or medical data.

Using an Eraser, Step by Step

A number of programmes are available to ensure that a file is genuinely gone. Eraser is a free and simple solution that will wipe your private data with random patterns until it is no longer recoverable. It is compatible with almost every version of Windows and provides several techniques for overwriting your data, including methods authorised by the Department of Defence.

Eraser fits seamlessly with Windows once installed. Follow these procedures whenever you wish to safely wipe your data.

1. Locate the files or folders you wish to safely delete.
2. Right-click on the files or folders to bring up the Eraser option.
3. In the Eraser menu, highlight and select Erase.

Eraser will automatically generate and execute the secure erase operation. When the process is finished and the files are permanently deleted, you will be alerted in a popup window.

You may adjust Eraser’s settings and features, such as securely erasing recycle bin contents and scheduling and automating secure deletion activities.

Using SDelete in Steps

Microsoft provides a downloadable command-line utility called SDelete for customers who do not want graphical interfaces. Here’s how you can utilise it.

1. Select Start > Run…, enter cmd, and then hit OK or Enter (Return). (Users using Windows Vista and Windows 7 may just click Start and type cmd into the Windows Search bar.)
2. Go to the location where you downloaded SDelete. For instance, if it’s in C:cmdtools, type cd C:cmdtools and hit Enter.
3. Enter sdelete path to file or directory>, where path to file or directory> is a regular Windows path. To remove C:mysecuredata.txt, for example, write sdelete c:mysecuredata.txt and hit Enter.
4. After they’ve been erased, you’ll get confirmation that your files or folders have been permanently destroyed, and you’re done!

Now that you have the necessary tools for the task, you may be certain that your data has been successfully deleted from your hard disc and will not be recoverable by anybody (even you).

References

Can Intelligence Agencies Read Overwritten Data?
Friday Squid Blogging: Squid Found on Provincetown Sandbar
Bruce Schneier
Allianz fur Cyber-Sicherheit
Creating cyber security policies
Guidelines for Media Sanitization