Can a File Shredder Damage My Computer?

Use file shredders carefully when purging computer data.

A file shredder is a software program that permanently deletes data from a computer hard drive. It accomplishes this by overwriting the existing data with a random series of ones and zeros. Users often elect to use a file shredder on sensitive data because if the files are simply deleted in Windows, the data in the file is not actually erased and could remain on the computer indefinitely.

Background

• File-shredding software is widely available online and many of these applications are freeware. Most of the low-cost alternatives are easy to use, but they may not be as reliable as commercial software. The terms “file shredding” and “file wiping” are often used synonymously, and users refer to data being overwritten rather than deleted. Professional file-shredding programs overwrite data numerous times to further obliterate the underlying data and ensure that the purged files cannot be recovered.

Use of a File Shredder

• Special caution should be exercised when using file-shredding software. If a user accidentally shreds operating system components or the wrong files and folders, it could spell disaster. There’s no such thing as an “undo” option with a file shredder – once files are deleted, they’re permanently obliterated.

Alternatives to a File Shredder

• Users who are reluctant to employ a data destruction program can pursue another option: full-disk encryption is standard with some versions of Windows 7 and Vista. This protective feature will not only encrypt the hard drive but all deleted items and unused disk space. Free encryption programs such as TrueCrypt are also available online, and these applications work very well.

Conclusions

• File shredding definitely has an important role in data security. This is especially true if a user is disposing of an old hard drive or wishes to sell it as a used drive. To ensure that sensitive personal data cannot be recovered by the new owner, the contents of the drive must be shredded beforehand for maximum protection.