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Non-recovery data deletion programs. How to delete data beyond recovery. Let's compare the reviewed applications

You already know that it is not so easy to physically delete data from a computer. Subsequently, they are quite easy to restore. Today I will teach you how to delete files without the possibility of their subsequent recovery.

Some readers may wonder why this is generally needed. The reasons can be very different. But the most popular option is to sell an old computer (or just digital media, like a USB flash drive or hard disk). After all, few people want personal documents, photographs or videos to fall into the hands of strangers.

And some of the users also store files with passwords from various Internet resources on their computers. Imagine for a second that someone has data to access your account on the Yandex.Money project or something similar.

Meanwhile, it is quite possible to delete data so that it cannot be recovered. For this we need a special software... The principle of its operation, as a rule, consists in the fact that it clogs clusters with fragments of the file, which must be deleted, of arbitrary information. That is, it physically overwrites it. As a result, even if the file is found by the recovery program, it will not be able to restore it.

The window will change its appearance. As you can see, the "Settings" button has appeared. Click it.

In the settings, we are interested in the "Safe deletion" item. We have to choose the number of cycles for overwriting deleted files. The more these cycles are, the greater the guarantee that the deleted file cannot be recovered, but it will take longer. In my opinion, it is better to act with confidence and choose the maximum number of cycles. After all, we need a positive result, otherwise why would we even undertake this, right? Select the parameters that suit us and click "OK".

We mark the files that we need to reliably delete, click right click the mouse and in the context menu that appears, select the item "Safely delete marked".

When asked whether we really want to destroy these files, the answer is yes. And we are waiting for the end of the procedure for the reliable deletion of files, after which we press "OK".

That's all. To check how everything went, you can try to recover your data following the article “How to recover deleted files". Moreover, if you have been using a low number of rewrite cycles, I highly recommend doing so to make sure your files are indeed securely deleted.

If the recovery process failed, then you did everything right. If you still managed to recover some files, repeat the procedure again, not skimping on the number of rewriting cycles.

If my article turned out to be useful to you, please recommend it to your friends using the social media buttons or simply by sharing the link.

In the subject line, write "Free Help".

Deciding to clear hDD, users usually use formatting or manual deletion of files from the Windows recycle bin. However, these methods do not guarantee complete erasure of data, and using special tools, you can restore files and documents that were previously stored on the HDD.

If necessary complete deliverance from important files so that no one else can recover them, standard methods operating system will not help. For these purposes, programs are used to completely delete data, including those deleted by conventional methods.

If the files have already been deleted from the HDD, but you want to erase them permanently, then you need to use special software. Such software solutions allow you to erase files so that later it will be impossible to restore them even with the help of professional tools.

In short, the principle is as follows:

You delete the file "X" (for example, through the "Trash"), and it is hidden from your field of visibility.
Physically, it remains on the disk, but the cell where it is stored is marked free.
When writing new files to the disk, the marked free cell is activated, and the file is overwritten "X" new. If the cell was not used when saving a new file, then the previously deleted file "X" remains on the hard drive.
After multiple rewriting of data on the cell (2-3 times), the originally deleted file "X" finally ceases to exist. If the file takes up more space than one cell, then in this case it is only a fragment "X".

Therefore, you yourself can delete unnecessary files so that they cannot be restored. To do this, write any other files to all free space 2-3 times. However, this option is very inconvenient, so users usually prefer software tools that, using more complex mechanisms, do not allow recovering deleted files.

Method 1: CCleaner

The well-known CCleaner program, designed to clean the hard drive from garbage, also knows how to reliably delete data. At the request of the user, you can clear the entire drive or only free space using one of four algorithms. In the second case, all system and user files will remain intact, but unallocated space will be safely overwritten and unavailable for recovery.

Method 2: Eraser

Eraser, like CCleaner, is simple and free to use. She knows how to reliably delete files and folders from which the user wants to get rid of, in addition to this it cleans up free disk space. The user can choose one of 14 removal algorithms at his discretion.

The program is embedded in context menu, therefore, by clicking on the unnecessary file right click mouse, you can immediately send it to Eraser for deletion. A small minus is the lack of Russian in the interface, however, as a rule, basic knowledge of English is enough.

Method 3: File Shredder

File Shredder is similar in effect to the previous one, Eraser. Through it, you can also permanently delete unnecessary and confidential data and overwrite free space on the HDD. The program is embedded in Explorer, and can be called by right-clicking on an unnecessary file.

There are only 5 mashing algorithms here, but this is quite enough for safe deletion of information.

Note: Despite the fact that using such programs is very simple, this does not guarantee complete data erasure if only part of the disk is wiped.

For example, if there is a need to delete an image without the possibility of recovery, but the display of thumbnails is enabled in the OS, then simply deleting the file will not help. Knowledgeable person will be able to restore it using the Thumbs.db file, which stores the thumbnails of the photo. A similar situation is with the paging file and other system documents that store copies or thumbnails of any user data.

Method 4: Multiple formatting

The usual formatting of the hard drive, of course, will not delete any data, but only hide it. The surest way to permanently delete all data from a hard drive is to perform a full formatting with a change in the file system type.

So, if you use the NTFS file system, then you need to carry out complete (not fast) formatting to FAT format and then again to NTFS. Additionally, you can partition the drive by dividing it into several partitions. After such manipulations, there is practically no chance of data recovery.

If you have to work with the hard drive where the operating system is installed, then all manipulations must be performed before loading. For this you can use bootable USB drive with an OS or a special program for working with disks.

Let's analyze the process of multiple full formatting with changing the file system and partitioning the disk into partitions.

Create a bootable USB drive with the desired operating system or use an existing one. On our website you can find instructions on how to create a bootable flash with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
Connect the USB flash drive to your PC and make it the main boot device via BIOS.
In AMI BIOS: Boot > 1st Boot Priority > Your flash

In Award BIOS:\u003e Advanced BIOS Features > First Boot Device > Your flash

Click on F10, and then "Y" to save the settings.
Before installing Windows 7 click on the link "System Restore".

On Windows 7, you get to System Recovery Optionswhere you need to select the item "Command line".

Before installing Windows 8 or 10, also click on the link "System Restore".
From the recovery menu select "Troubleshooting".
Then "Extra options".
Please select "Command line".
The system may offer to select a profile, as well as enter a password from it. If the password for account not installed, skip input and press "Proceed".
If you need to find out the real drive letter (provided that several HDDs are installed, or you only need to format the partition), in cmd type the command
wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, volumename, size, description

and press Enter.
Based on the size (in the table it is in bytes), you can determine which letter of the desired volume / partition is real, and not assigned by the operating system. This will protect you from accidentally formatting the wrong drive.
For full formatting with a change in the file system, write the command
format / FS: FAT32 X: - if your hard drive now has file system NTFS
format / FS: NTFS X: - if your hard disk is now FAT32

Instead X substitute the letter of your drive.

Do not add a parameter to the command / q - it is responsible for quick formatting, after which file recovery can still be performed. You need to do an extremely complete formatting!
After formatting is complete, write the command from the previous step again, only with a different file system. That is, the formatting chain should be like this:
NTFS\u003e FAT32\u003e NTFS

FAT32\u003e NTFS\u003e FAT32

After that, the installation of the system can be canceled or continued.

To completely delete a file, it is not enough to put it in the trash. Data erased in this way can be easily restored using special software. However, there are situations when files from the hard disk must be erased so that they cannot be returned. When selling equipment or handing over for repairs, it is better to play it safe and seize confidential documents and important files, such as a database. How do I permanently delete files?

Method number 1. Formatting

The easiest way to clean up is formatting using Windows. To do this, in the folder "This computer" select the required disk with the right mouse button. In the context menu, click on the "Format" option and set the cleaning mode in the window that appears.

When fully formatted, the contents of the disk are filled with zeros, that is, all information is overwritten. One such rewrite may not be enough, so there is no 100% guarantee of success. There is a risk that powerful recovery programs will be able to recover some of the deleted files.

Method number 2. Cleaning with programs

Go to the directory that contains hidden folders and the files you need to delete. Select them with the mouse button and delete them in the usual way, for example, by pressing the Delete key, or Shift + Delete, if you want to delete them permanently without the possibility of restoring from the trash. If some of the hidden elements cannot be removed, uncheck the “Read-only” attribute in its properties.

If you want to do hidden files or folders visible, select them and right-click and select Properties from the context menu. Uncheck the "Hidden" attribute. Apply and save your changes.

Tip 5: VKontakte: how to leave a social network without the possibility of recovery

Desire to permanently delete your account from social network Vkontakte appears among users for various reasons. Some are fleeing from an addiction that they suddenly realized, others - from broken feelings or virtual love.

You will need

the Internet

Instructions

On any free server, for example, yandex.ru or mail.ru, create a new mailbox. You can do this without even closing your inbox folder in your browser.

On the VKontakte social network, go to the "Settings" menu. Next to the value "Who can view my page", select "Only me". Other users, having visited your page, will see an inscription indicating that the page has been deleted. Thus, you notify your friends that the deletion of the account was made by you deliberately.

Go to the Setup menu to the General submenu. Select Change Password. Enter in the top field old Password and without closing the page, go to the next item.

Open up text editor "Notepad", switch the layout to English and chaotically press any keys on the keyboard. Select fifteen characters from this unique password and copy them to the clipboard using the right mouse button or by pressing Ctrl + C. Close notepad without saving the file.

Return to the "General" settings. Paste what was copied into the "New Password" line and the "Confirm New Password" line. Click on "Change Password".

If everything is done correctly, the page will be refreshed and the message "Password changed" will appear. If this does not happen, repeat the operation until it works. Only proceed to the next step after completing this.

Go to the "Change e-mail" field. Enter in the "New e-mail" line the address of the mailbox that you created in the first steps of the account deletion operation. Click "Change e-mail".

To your new and old mailbox will come by letter. First, open the letter from the old mailbox, follow the link to confirm. Then do the same with the letter from the new mailbox. The VKontakte page should close. And you will see a window for entering your login / password.

To exclude the possibility of using the "Recover password" button, delete the new mailbox according to the instructions of the server where it was created.

Google Chrome on computer

If you want to remove Google chrome from a computer without the possibility of restoring all your bookmarks, downloads and saved pages, you can use the "Add or Remove Programs Windows" tool. By uninstalling the program, you will erase all settings that were stored on your computer. To go to the Google Chrome uninstaller, click on "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Uninstall a Program". In Windows 8 operating systems, you can go to the "Control Panel" using the Metro interface and clicking on the corresponding shortcut in the menu that appears.

Saving bookmarks and settings

If you only want to reinstall Google Chrome, but keep all the bookmarks and data recorded, you will need to save the browser configuration files located in the program folder.

To save bookmarks of the program, open Google Chrome and go to the "Bookmarks" - "Bookmarks Manager" menu. You can also go to the control menu using the combination ctrl keys, Shift and O. After that, click Arrange - Export Bookmarks to HTML. In the window that appears, select the folder where you want to save your saved pages.

If you want to keep both settings and chrome bookmarks, you can upload all the required data to your google account. To do this, click on the program menu button and go to the "Settings" section. Click on the "Sign in to Chrome" button and enter your account details google records (Gmail, Blogger, etc.). You can also specify the account you use on your Android and iOS gadget.

After signing in, click on the "Yes, sync all" button. You can specify the parameters for synchronization in the "Advanced" section. After the operation, you can remove the browser from the computer through the "Remove Programs" menu "Control Panel".

After the browser is installed again, you can restore bookmarks through the menu "Bookmarks Manager" - "Organize" - "Import bookmarks from HTML file". If you want to restore the settings using the specified Google account, go to the "Settings" and sign in to the account you specified earlier again.

There are a huge number and ways to delete a file beyond recovery. Some of them are convenient, some are not particularly, but the easiest option is to use for everyone famous program "CCleaner"

The main advantage in the CCleaner program is that this product has long established itself among users only with positive side... Also, the file deletion tool is present in the free version of the program.

How to fill a drive with zeros or destroy files.

CCleaner - Able to fill free space with zeros or completely delete all data from a disk or flash drive. If you need to delete a certain file, then "CCleaner" is not quite suitable, since the program does not have the ability to delete certain files without the possibility of recovery.

Go to the "Tools" section and select "Erase Disks" further, depending on the situation, select the necessary options.

If the HDD or USB is put up for sale: In this case, it makes sense to completely format the drive. All files on the entire HDD or USB are completely destroyed.
Choose - Entire disk (all data will be lost)

If you are selling a computer or laptop: In this case, you need to fill the free disk space with zeros to avoid the possibility of recovering files that were deleted in the usual way.
We choose - Only free space.

The optimal way of cleaning, you can choose "7", if you want to play it safe, then choose 35.

In this case, the free space on the USB drive will be filled with zeros, and the files that were previously deleted cannot be restored. The current files will not be deleted. If you select the "Entire disk" option, then you can delete all files from the flash drive without the possibility of recovery!

Disk cleanup takes quite a long time, it all depends on the read speed of the drive, free space and the selected number of passes. As soon as the program finishes working, you can safely sell the drive, without fear that someone might recover files and use them for personal gain.

The topic of today's article is somewhat unusual. Today we will tell you how to permanently destroy data. Destroy them so that they cannot be restored even with the help of special programs or research hardware complexes.

Delete file is not enough

Regular readers of our site already know that just deleting a file is completely insufficient from the point of view information security... Deleted files (with rare exceptions in the form of SSD drives) can be recovered within just a few minutes. This is due to the fact that when deleting windows file does not destroy its contents, but simply makes a mark in the file system that the file has been deleted, and the disk space it occupies is free. Accordingly, a deleted file can be recovered using easy-to-use tools - for example, Hetman uneraser.

Formatting the disk

The very existence of tools like Hetman Partition Recovery , is a good indicator that formatted partitions are not a guarantee of data security. In fact, with the exception of all the same SSD disks, formatting a partition in "fast" mode (and in older versions of Windows - and formatting in "full" mode) does not erase data, it just resets the file system. Accordingly, the data after such formatting can be recovered.

However, it should be noted that full formatting of the disk using Windows Vista and Windows 7 will still overwrite the contents of the disk with zeros, and formatting an SSD disk in any way with a high (but not 100%) probability will also lead to data destruction.

Data destruction software

There is a whole class of programs designed for reliable and safe destruction of information. Such programs use arrays random numbers to physically overwrite disk space occupied by the file being destroyed. Some security standards (for example, the standard used by the US Army) require multiple rewrite cycles and insist on the use of cryptographically strong random number generators. In practice, it is more like firing a cannon at sparrows. For private users and most commercial organizations, a single rewrite cycle is enough.

Finding such a program is easy - just start a search by keywords "Secure deletion of files." Disk wiping is done in a similar way - even the programs are often used the same.

It should be noted that these methods work only with traditional magnetic drives, in which unambiguous addressing of physical disk space is possible. In case of sSD drives this is not so, and the destruction of information on them is a separate and rather poorly researched topic.

Destroying data on CDs and DVDs

Remember to destroy your data when disposing of old backups. The easiest way to destroy information on a CD or DVD is to physically destroy the media. Do not give in to the temptation to break the "blank" with your hands - you will most likely be cut by splinters, and small fragments of plastic and aluminum substrate will be found in the most unexpected places for a long time.

The easiest way to shred discs is to use an office shredder equipped with a CD and DVD receiver. In addition to them, there are specialized devices - by the way, they are not at all as expensive as one might think. For most purposes, it is normal to cut the disc into four strips.

There are also devices that make discs unusable by drilling several holes in them (by the way, you can make holes in the disc yourself using a conventional drill). Experts consider this method less reliable than using a shredder.

Manufacturers of secure data storage devices should be mentioned separately. DataTraveler and Silicon Power offer USB or hard drives that store information encrypted. To destroy access to the data of such devices, it is enough to remove the decryption key. Hard drive data recovery software will not be able to decrypt the contents and will be completely useless.

We can also mention the heating of the disks, which leads to the destruction of the translucent information layer. Like other methods, it should be used only in specialized devices - overheated "blanks" can quickly melt.

Often, quitting work, selling a computer or hard drive, the task is to completely delete files without the possibility of recovery. As I wrote in previous articles (,) deleting files and folders windows tools, formatting the disk makes them easy to recover.

When deleting by conventional means, files are simply "marked" deleted, and they continue to be stored on your hard disk until another file overwrites it. Given the size of modern hard drives, such deleted files can last for years.

And now imagine that after the sale of the hard drive, the new owner will recover your passwords or personal photos? An unscrupulous director decided to fire you and appropriate your work? There are many tasks for completely deleting files beyond recovery.

Complete deletion of files is achieved by overwriting them several times with special algorithms. Encryption and overwriting with files with "zeros" is often used. The best program for complete removal is Eraser.

Eraser is completely free software with an intuitive interface. Eraser

works out of the box and does not require any configuration.

Installing Eraser

To completely delete a file, it is not enough to put it in the trash. Data erased in this way can be easily restored using special software. However, there are situations when files from the hard ...

Method number 1. Formatting

Method number 2. Cleaning with programs

Most reliable way get rid of data - use special programs... On the web, they are called shredders. The choice of such software is wide - you can easily find a suitable option.

It is very easy to work with these programs - select the desired disk and the cleaning mode. Most utilities allow you to rewrite a disc multiple times - 2, 3, 7, or 35 times. For reliable deletion, three overwrites are enough.

Method number 3. Removing individual files and folders

Full disk cleaning is not suitable if you want to erase data permanently from only one folder. Delete option individual files is not available in all programs. Programs that contain this function will allow you to erase specific files from your computer, flash drive and any other memory card. The principle of operation is the same, the program will repeatedly overwrite the selected data.

The smaller the size and number of files, the faster process deletion. Permanently erasing a folder can only take you a minute! Sample application that can be removed separate folders and files - Eraser.

About file recovery

Why can erased files be recovered at all? Operating systems handle remote information in a very original way. Let's explain using Windows as an example. The system stores the contents of the disk sections with data on the erased file until this place is occupied by the data on the new object. So, until these sections are overwritten, you can restore the old file. The conclusion suggests itself - to immediately delete a file permanently, you need to artificially overwrite it. The more rewriting passes, the more efficient.

How to recover lost files?

Now you know how to permanently delete files without the possibility of recovery. It is simply impossible to erase something irrevocably by accident or by mistake. If you've emptied the Trash along with important documents or formatted your USB flash drive, don't be in a hurry to despair! will cope with in a few minutes.

"PHOTO DOCTOR" will return the lost pictures, regardless of the medium - a flash drive, a camera or mobile device... The image format is not important either - it works with JPG, RAW, DNG and many others. And to keep your valuable files intact, get acquainted with useful tips about that, and don't lose your data.

The storage of sensitive data on a hard drive and removable media is usually always viewed in the context of general information security. This is a fairly voluminous topic, covering many different aspects of which reliable file deletion is far from the least.

There may be several reasons for this - transferring a computer, disk or flash drive for temporary use to another person, handing over a computer or media for repair, as well as selling them. Simple deletion of data by means of the operating system or even complete formatting of the medium does not provide for the permanent deletion of information.

In most cases, deleted data can be recovered with the help of which you can easily find it on the Internet. 100% guaranteed data destruction can only be achieved by demagnetizing the media or completely physically destroying it. These are the measures taken in relation to data stored under the heading "Top Secret". To destroy data of a lesser degree of secrecy, utilities are used that use algorithms for multiple rewriting of the entire medium or its specific area.

Currently, there are many programs for secure data deletion. The same number of opinions exist regarding the effectiveness of this or that utility. In reality, the claims that one shredder program deletes data better than another is nothing more than a myth. It is not the program itself that removes information, but the rewriting algorithm hardwired into it, and these algorithms are used in all these utilities the same, it is just that one program may have a wider set of algorithms than another. According to experts, the most effective is Peter Gutman's algorithm, which uses 35 rewriting cycles. And here is a small list of utilities that will help you to be guaranteed to remove personal information.

CCleaner

This popular free cleaner can be used not only to remove file junk and fix errors in the system registry, but also to guarantee formatting hard drives and removable mediaas well as stripping free disk space. At the same time, four methods of deletion are available: simple overwrite in one pass, DOD 5220.22-M (three cycles), TSA (7 cycles) and the Peter Gutman method already known to us.

Eraser program

Simple and free program for secure deletion of data. With its help, you can delete not only individual and folders, but entire partitions, as well as clean up free disk space. Despite the absence of the Russian language, using the program is very simple. Files and folders can be deleted by simply dragging them onto the Eraser workspace; in addition, you can delete objects from the Explorer context menu, where the program is embedded during installation. There are 14 deletion algorithms to choose from, including the most reliable one - Peter Gutman's algorithm.

File Shredder Program

Another one free utility, simple and convenient. Supports deleting data from, as well as from removable media. Files can be added to the list of deleted files through the main menu, or by dragging them onto the working window of the program. File Shredder can also be used to erase free disk space. It is also possible to delete via the Explorer context menu. Unlike Eraser, File Shredder has only five built-in removal methods.

Secure File Vault Program

Multifunctional protection program confidential information... Intended this application mainly for data encryption, but can also be used to permanently delete files and folders. For this purpose, Secure File Vault provides a built-in File Shredder utility. When deleting data, you can choose the security level - from 10 to 110. Secure File Vault belongs to the category of commercial programs, and quite expensive - its cost is $ 49.95.

Download Secure File Vault: http://www.securefilevault.com/

Freeraser

Free, simple and convenient program for deleting any user files with Russian language support. There are three main removal modes available in Freeraser - fast, reliable and no compromise. Fast corresponds to one rewrite cycle, reliable - three, and uncompromising - 35 consecutive passes. and folders is made by dragging and dropping onto a special basket from the standard “Browse” window. The utility supports setting appearance baskets, auto start, work from the system tray. There is a Russian language.

Freeraser Download: http://www.freeraser.com/home/82-freeraser.html

Conclusion

All these five programs in general do a very good job with their task. If you want to be sure that your personal files cannot be recovered, then use any of these programs. Of course, this list is far from complete, many utilities for secure data deletion are included in other programs, as is the case in Secure File Vault. Built-in stripping tools have AusLogics BoostSpeed, Acronis True Image, TuneUp Utilities, and many other file system applications.

Among the five programs described above, we decided to give the first place to Eraser. This program undoubtedly deserves to be called a professional tool for effective destruction of confidential data.

The rewriting methods used by the program are based on the well-known standards for removing magnetic traces from hard drives and removable media.

A wide range of tools, flexible settings, the use of additional "deceiving" technologies, as well as a friendly user interface make this program one of the most convenient and demanded tools for safely deleting files.

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