I deleted some files but they are recoverable can they be made irrecoverable

[appaji]

I deleted some files but they are recoverable can they be made irrecoverable.

 

[noidea_77]

You can only erase the entire hard disk with programs like wipedisk.

 

[phil_h_99]

There are plenty of free secure erase utilities that work on files, file shredder and sdelete come to mind.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

either run DBAN to destroy all data on hard disk (one pass is enough) then re-install Windows etc (will take days to do correctly)

or

run ccleaner to remove temporary files & registry entries first
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

then
remove hibernation file

that just leaves swap file to be deleted (if you know how - use Google if you don't)

then

empty recycle bin

finally Heidi'e eraser can do a good job of erasing free space on hard disk
There is option to write random garbage to free space (disguises your action if Eraser run from Win PE disk)
or 000000000 (obvious you erased everything)

http://eraser.heidi.ie/

However if you don't do the whole job correctly a computer forensics expert may still find data you wanted to destroy

regards

Mike Barnes

 

[manofchalk]

Depends on how irrecoverable you want to make them.

Enough to stop your grandmother: Delete the file.
Enough to stop someone who is tech-literate, but not that knowledgeable: Delete them from the Recycle bin.
Enough to stop someone who knows what their doing: Use a secure erase program like the ones mentioned above.
Enough to stop someone who is quite dedicated to getting that data: Compress the file, encrypt it and delete with aforementioned programs.
Enough to stop the CIA: The above, then smash the HDD until the platter itself is shattered into a million pieces and spread the remains over a couple square kilometers of forest :lol:

If you are really paranoid, turn the machine off (as in, power cord pulled out) for a day. Wouldn't want the file lingering in the RAM would we.

 

[GHzPC]

Depends on how irrecoverable you want to make them.

Enough to stop your grandmother: Delete the file.
Enough to stop someone who is tech-literate, but not that knowledgeable: Delete them from the Recycle bin.
Enough to stop someone who knows what their doing: Use a secure erase program like the ones mentioned above.
Enough to stop someone who is quite dedicated to getting that data: Compress the file, encrypt it and delete with aforementioned programs.
Enough to stop the CIA: The above, then smash the HDD until the platter itself is shattered into a million pieces and spread the remains over a couple square kilometers of forest :lol:

If you are really paranoid, turn the machine off (as in, power cord pulled out) for a day. Wouldn't want the file lingering in the RAM would we.

I love that answer "Enough to stop the CIA". Most people don't realize that a "military grade wipe" means that only the military can unwipe it.