Simply pressing the delete button isn’t the proper way to get rid of data. Whether you’re an individual or a company, data destruction should be a top priority. If you’re on a windows PC, then there are plenty of ways to accomplish this task.
1. Outsource the Task
It’s not overkilled to contact business IT support Sydney. When you need to ensure that files are completely unrecoverable, professional services are the way to go. They can also provide some insight into the details of when the files were last accessed. There are a lot of security-related reasons that you would outsource the deletion of files on a drive. The more valuable the data, the more careful you have to be to ensure its full erasure.
2. Windows PowerShell
Command prompt does the trick, but savvy PC users will always gravitate to Windows PowerShell. The difference between the two is that a worker takes out the trash versus the person ordering him to remove the waste. You can always go admin in the command prompt, but you will still be missing out on powerful features that put you in full control of the PC. For Windows PowerShell, the cipher command is the end of all deleting data files off of the desktop.
3. Professional Tools
Professional deletion software has been on the market for ages. Both commercial and GNU licensed software to add an extra layer of protection above windows recycle bin options. Think of it as the best way for users that want to delete multiple files but don’t want to mess around with Windows PowerShell. Technically, even the best professional tools on the market are fancy GUIs doing exactly what the built-in Windows PowerShell can already do. This isn’t a knock on their value, as convenience is always worth saving time and money.
4. Recycle Bin Options
When the advanced options are still out of reach, there is a simple trick that can buy you some time. In the recycle bin properties there is an option to delete files without removing them from the recycle bin. Plenty of people have deleted an important file without the realization that it gets sent to the recycle bin ‘folder’ where it will survive until a manual or auto delete. That auto-delete function is tied to Windows Storage Sense, which will be vastly different for every computer. But more importantly, the files you deleted will still be available for retrieval months after deletion.
5. Linux
Linux is life, and for Windows data, it can be the undertaker. This is a bit overkill, but worth the trouble if a file is refusing to be deleted. Boot up Linux from a USB and delete the troublesome file without worrying about a compromised system. This has been a great workaround for low and medium-level ransomware attacks that take data hostage. When the system and its data is being held hostage, Linux is one of the fastest ways to protect and gain full control of your system.
Protect Your Data
You don’t have to go scorched earth by nuking the drive, but a considerable amount of precaution should do the trick. Secure the deletion of your data by using accomplished and well-known methods. Data isn’t free, so don’t give nefarious individuals a chance to grab it.
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