Permanently Delete Files

[AppleMan2015]

Hey guys,

Not sure if this is the correct thread... I deleted a few files off my computer, but I wanted to make sure that info was unreadable, because it will likely still be on the hard drive.

Can you guys recommend any programs out there that would make these files un-readable on the hard drive, even after the trash can has been emptied?

Thanks!

 

[iMacDragon]

This is why trash at least used to have a secure empty option in menu somewhere? Admittedly not checked if it's still there.

 

[SDColorado]

The secure empty option was removed because it really did not work reliably and gave folks a false sense of security. You may find this article useful...

https://www.howtogeek.com/234683/why-you-cant-securely-delete-a-file-and-what-to-do-instead/

 

[NoBoMac]

This is why trash at least used to have a secure empty option in menu somewhere? Admittedly not checked if it's still there.

Secure Erase was removed in El Capitan as it did not always work as advertised (primarily when dealing with SSDs).

So, can do as suggested in following (not sure if available in newer versions of MacOS):

https://lifehacker.com/why-secure-empty-trash-is-gone-in-el-capitan-and-wha-1744422665

I believe I've seen some programs out there that do secure erase. But as mentioned in above link, if you have an SSD, might not guaranteed erase.

If you have disk encryption turned on, then no need to really worry as everything is encrypted at-rest. If someone rips the disk out of the machine and or steals the device, they will need to figure out the passcode for the drive before they can get to anything. If getting rid of the machine, if you wipe the drive and re-install the OS, the encryption keys will be wiped and what traces might be left of the file(s) will be inaccessible, and most likely will be overwritten. And in the case of wiping the drive before giving away, there is the option to do a secure erase, but as mentioned, since drive is encrypted, the secure erase of the drive is really not needed and is time consuming.

 

[Pangalactic]

https://www.paragon-software.com/home/dw-mac/

Paragon has a bootable USB disk wiper, I've used it once, seemed to have done the job wonderfully

 

[Newtons Apple]

BleachBit is very popular among politicians.

 

[baypharm]

Depends on who will have access to your computer. Most computer savvy "hackers" will be able to extract data off your drive even if it appears clean. So will foreign government "hackers." My advice is if you absolutely want to destroy the data on the drive - destroy the drive itself to oblivion.

 

[MBAir2010]

Just make sure you don't sell the computer to someone who voted in the last US presidential election while living all the way from Moscow, Russia.
[doublepost=1534623582][/doublepost]I always kept my hard drives when selling an old iMac and installed new ones.