Overview
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Files may be securely deleted using File Shredder. File Shredder is free desktop application available on Windows for shredding (destroying) unwanted files beyond recovery. On Mac computers, files may be securely deleted using a feature built into the OS.
Simply deleting files doesn't prevent hackers from recovering those files. In many instances, if you want a file to be unrecoverable, then that file needs to be completely erased. |
Why should you securely delete/shred information?
When files are deleted using the common "delete" operation, information is only removed from files, so they can't be found by the operating system. File recovery software can be used to recover this information by taking advantage of shortcomings in the standard delete operation. A program capable of overwriting the file data with random binary must be used in order to remove files permanently from your system
Why should you shred information?
There are quite a few software tools today for retrieval of deleted files. Those tools, often referred to as "file recovery" software, are taking advantage of shortcoming the "delete" command that we all use regularly to delete files. Actually, the "delete" operation only removes bits of information from files so they appear deleted in OS. It is easy to retrieve those files using aforementioned specialized file recovery software. In order to remove, or shred files permanently from your system you have to use a program that is capable of rewriting the files with random series of binary data multiple times. This process is often called shredding. That way, the actual content of the file has been overwritten and the possibilities to recover such a shredded file are mostly theoretical.
What should be shredded?
Any information Files that you need to be completely deleted beyond recovery should be shredded. Before shredding a file, please ensure that you are not violating any State Records Laws or Sunshine Laws. Any information that needs to be maintained for Public Record should NOT be shredded (e.g., a student's proof of residency, student records, payment receipts, etc.). However, any files that may contain confidential information that are not public record should be shredded if they are no longer needed (e.g., an Excel document used to move Social Security Numbers from one location to another that will not be used again).
For more information, please see the University Policy FIN 3.02-2.14 and the Records Management Overview.
FAQs
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How to shred files
UWF employees should use Spirion to shred files.
For any other users,
- Windows doesn't come with an option to shred files. Windows users might consider downloading BleachBit. This program is a reliable, free and open-source tool that can be used to shred files. It is available for free under version 3 of the GNU General Public License. Please know that users download this program at their own risk.
- Apple computers come with an option to shred files. See the link below for additional details.
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To securely delete a file:
You may also adjust your settings so that files are removed securely each time you empty the trash. To adjust this setting:
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