Digital File Shredder: ERASER

We all have files on our computers that we do not want to share with others such as financial documents, legal documents, work documents, documents containing personal information…the list goes on. When these files are no longer needed, we tend to simply delete them and forget about them.  However, maintaining your privacy is a bit more complicated and simply deleting a file is equivalent to throwing a hard copy document in the trash can. If you want to know how to destroy hard-copy documents check out my post 5 Ways to Destroy Documents Containing Your Sensitive Information.

When you delete a file, the operating system does not really remove the file from the hard disk. Instead, it removes the reference of the file from the file system table (deleting the file). This action tells the computer that this file is no longer accessible, and it is okay to write over this file to make room for new files. The file remains on the hard disk until another file is created over it. However, when the computer writes over deleted files it does not do it all at once. Instead, it does it in bits and pieces therefore if the deleted file has not been completely replaced it can still be recovered by using a file recovery program. Thus, potentially leaving your sensitive information vulnerable to being stolen if you ever get rid of the hard drive.

Using a digital file shredder can help make your deleted files non-recoverable by overwriting them several times. I used the program called Eraser to delete my computer files. Eraser is a 100% free and open-source Windows security tool that ensures the removal of sensitive data from your computer. Eraser allows the user to set up a schedule to shred specific folders, files, and drives. It also allows you to select the number of times the selected data is overwritten the more passes the longer it takes to shred the files but makes it less likely the file can be recovered. There is a manual shredding option for those one-time file deletions.

In the setting section of the program, you will find options to select the language, program setting, additional schedule settings, and plugins. Keep in mind when setting the number of passes, the more passes you have the program perform the longer it will take the program to complete the task. Depending on the size of the file or drive it could take 30 seconds to hours or even days to complete.

The number of passes can be compared to the types of physical shredders.

• Performing one pass is equal to a strip-cut shredder, documents can still be recoverable.
• Two to six passes can be equal to a cross-cut shredder, files could still be recovered but it is more difficult.
• Seven or more passes can be equal to using a micro-cut shredder, recovery is highly unlikely.
• If you choose to do the max of 35 passes this is equal to using a micro shredder and then pulping or burning hard-copy documents, they will not be recoverable.

For individual files, I use the 35 passes and for folders or drives, I use 7 passes. I would recommend not using anything less than 7 passes. Below are some photos from my setting section of the program.

I highly recommend you use a digital file shredder on your devices to protect your privacy! If you want to learn more about ERASER or want to download the program, follow the link below

Eraser Site Link: https://eraser.heidi.ie/