File Shredder Apps and Alternatives

Despite the fact that you are deleting files from your computer, this does not automatically mean that the data is lost forever. In fact, most of these documents, media, tracks and other files can be restored using specialized programs. And no, it does not really matter that you also removed them from the Recycle Bin.

Consequentially, if you want to make sure that the data is permanently erased and hence cannot be recovered with the appropriate tools, you should consider using a shredding tool.

By far the biggest reason to use a file shredder, particularly in commercial environments, is security. If the file can be recovered, you are likely to expose yourself and the company to theft or breach of sensitive information. File shredders are software solutions use specialized algorithms to permanently remove data from computers, but also to free computer space occupied by leftover files.

One of the most known algorithms for permanent data wipe is Gutmann, a method that writes a series of 35 patterns over the hard disk region to be erased, so that no recovery application can restore the files. Considering that 35-passes could mean a lot of time for an average modern hard drive, you can also consider using tools that rely on other algorithms, such as DoD 5220.22-M, for instance.

It is worth mentioning that some of the file shredders included here also feature a handy scheduler option. Consequentially, if you are working with sensitive information on a regular basis, you can establish an interval when the files and folders used can be permanently wiped