Differences Between File Deletion and File Shredding

Read time 7 minutes

A computer’s storage capacity is limited, so users must divide the available disk space into multiple drives to better organize their data. These drives contain various folders where data is stored. It’s crucial to remember that keeping unnecessary files on a drive indefinitely can waste valuable storage space. Therefore, older files are regularly deleted to make room for new ones.

Many users believe that simply deleting a file is sufficient to permanently erase its data. However, there exist various recovery tools capable of retrieving deleted items from a hard drive, even after it has been formatted and a new operating system has been installed. This necessitates users to seek an alternative method known as shredding for secure deletion. The key distinction between a standard deletion and shredding lies in their processes. In a typical deletion, the storage space is cleared, and the reference point is deleted, but efficient recovery software can still quickly retrieve the file. On the other hand, shredding not only eliminates the data and reference point but also overwrites the file with random information, rendering it irretrievable.

If you’re looking to free up storage space for new data, simply deleting files will suffice. However, if you want to guarantee that the deleted file’s data is permanently unrecoverable, you’ll need to employ file shredding techniques.

Once a file has been recovered from shredding, it remains permanently inaccessible. If you need to securely delete a file containing critical business information from your computer, you can opt for a third-party shredding application. Ensure that the chosen application utilizes reputable algorithms and erasure techniques to thoroughly and irreversibly delete the file.

• DoD 5220
  The Defense Security Service (DSS) within the Department of Defense formulated the DoD 5220 (5220.22-M). This standard procedure involves three secure data overwriting techniques for replacing information within a designated file. The initial method involves rewriting the file’s addressable location with binary zeroes. Similarly, the second method replaces the addressable location with binary ones, while the third method utilizes random patterns to overwrite the file’s addressable location.
• US Army AR 380-19
  The US Army AR 380-19 employs a robust data sanitization algorithm designed to render files irrecoverable by overwriting their information. This method is exceptionally effective, leaving files impervious to retrieval attempts by even the most advanced recovery software. The data sanitization process consists of three passes: during the initial pass, random characters are written to the file; in the second pass, specific characters (such as 0 or 1) are written, and in the third pass, the complement of the selected character is applied. Subsequently, a verification step ensures the success of the sanitization process.
• Gutmann Method
  Gutmann’s algorithm, devised by Peter Gutmann, employs a series of 35 distinct patterns to thoroughly erase the designated file area. Unlike conventional methods that employ zeros for data replacement, this technique utilizes a range of random characters for secure deletion.

Defense establishments and research organizations frequently employ these shredding algorithms to safeguard their sensitive data. Additionally, various industries utilize diverse shredding algorithms to maintain the security of their data at all times.

Here are several crucial shredding algorithms that should be employed by professional shredding software to guarantee thorough data deletion. Most shredding software typically relies on a single shredding algorithm for data erasure. But there is one software called Kernel File Shredder that lets you choose a significant number of algorithms. You can select the file and select any suitable algorithm to shred and delete the files.

Kernel File Shredder

Kernel File Shredder lets you choose multiple files at a single time and shred them after selecting the algorithm.

1. Start the software and go to the Options tab on the left-hand side.
   
2. Click File and Folder that will open the wizard to shred file and folder. Click Add File\Folders.
   
3. Choose the data that you want to delete permanently. Then click Select.
   
4. After the selection of the files, your next step is to choose the shredding algorithm.
   
5. There are 11 types of shredding algorithms available for your selection. Choose anyone.
   
6. After choosing the algorithm, click Shred.
   
7. A message will inform you that it will delete all selected files and folders permanently. The deleted files and folder cannot be recovered again. Click Yes.
   
8. The tool has shredded all the files permanently. Click OK.

Kernel File Shredder has multiple shredding options like:

• Shred files from Recycle Bin
  
• Shred System Files
  
• Shred Free Disk Space
  
• Shred Useless Files
  

Conclusion

A business possesses a substantial amount of dated yet valuable information that needs removal. Nonetheless, safeguarding this data from unauthorized access is a top priority. Hence, opting for shredding is a more secure choice over simple deletion, and the Kernel File Shredder offers a reliable solution for this task. Even after thorough scanning of the entire drive multiple times, no data recovery tool will ever be able to retrieve these files.