Is deleting files enough to permanently remove sensitive data?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by computerit, Feb 15, 2026.

  1. #1
    Want to know is deleting files enough to permanently remove sensitive data?
     
    computerit, Feb 15, 2026 IP
  2. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #2
    No, when you delete a file the operating system merely hides it from view. Deleted files can sit on a hard drive for a long time before being over written. They won't be deleted from cloud backups or storage.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Feb 16, 2026 IP
  3. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #3
    Many, many years ago an employee of a non-profit wiped his laptop of every file created during his employment in an act of pettiness (that cost him in court later). For a very reasonable fee a professional recovery company was able to retrieve every file on that laptop. They were able to document exactly when they were copied to an external hard drive, when they were deleted, my clumsy attempts to retrieve, everything.

    There is software that will try to rewrite over the space the deleted files to hide them, but even then, the really good techs can still recover files.

    If you've obtained those files online, eg CSAM, there are other trails that will lead to you and it will be very hard to hide once the authorities know to look for you.
     
    sarahk, Feb 16, 2026 IP
  4. tobysurf

    tobysurf Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Is not enough to permanently remove sensitive data. When you delete a file, the operating system only removes the reference to the data, leaving the actual data intact on the drive until it is overwritten by new information.
     
    tobysurf, Feb 25, 2026 at 5:38 AM IP
  5. qwikad.com

    qwikad.com Illustrious Member Affiliate Manager

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    #5
    As it's been said, it's not enough. CCleaner can overwrite files up to 35 times using its secure deletion feature, making them unrecoverable. Supposedly even 3 passes makes them unrecoverable.
     
    qwikad.com, Feb 25, 2026 at 9:05 AM IP
  6. jrbiz

    jrbiz Acclaimed Member

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    #6
    When Hillary Clinton was trying to hide her many nefarious activities, she used a program called BleachBit to wipe her illegal server hidden in her basement. I assume that she had top IT advice on this subject.
     
    jrbiz, Feb 27, 2026 at 2:39 AM IP
  7. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #7
    Billary are well known to have engaged in threesomes. They would use some of Epstein's underage girls for sexual sandwiches. This is the *REAL* reason they had everything wiped clean.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Feb 27, 2026 at 8:28 AM IP
  8. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #8
    But...Pam "brown nose Bondi" has done more hiding and scrubbing with the Epstein files to hide Trump's nefariois activities, than the Clintons have. They are ALL rotten to the core.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Feb 27, 2026 at 4:19 PM IP