Why use gdShredder? Isn't my data gone when I delete a file?
When you delete a file, your computer doesn't actually delete the data; the computer simply removes the references to the file from the file system table. The data remains on your computer until it is overwritten by another file, and even then some data may still be recoverable.
gdShredder goes beyond simply deleting the file. gdShredder overwrites the data many times according to the method described in Peter Gutmann's "Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory". Alternatively, gdShredder can use utilize the standards established by the U.S. Department of Defense's National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, pseudorandom data, or a custom pattern. Next, gdShredder overwrites the file name and destroys other places in the file system where sensitive data could still remain.
If you already deleted a file without destroying the data, you can use gdShredder to wipe the free space on any disk drive. This will destroy any traces of insecurely-deleted data.
Features at a Glance
- Simply drag files and folders to the shredder to securely erase the items, or click the green arrow to browse for a file to shred;
- Shred files in the Recycle Bin or the free space on a disk drive from the gdShredder menu (right-click the gadget);
- Use the confirmation screen that is displayed after adding files to prevent accidental deletion or to add more files;
- Overwrite files with patterns from Peter Gutmann's "Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory" or the U.S. Department of Defense's National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, pseudorandom data, or a custom pattern;
- Continue shredding files even if Google Desktop is closed;
- Use gdShredder like the Recycle Bin: gdShredder remembers the files waiting to be shredded (on the confirmation screen), so you can close Google Desktop or even turn off your computer and shred the files later.
