Is deleting files enough to permanently remove sensitive data?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by computerit, Feb 15, 2026 at 11:07 PM.

  1. #1
    Want to know is deleting files enough to permanently remove sensitive data?
     
    computerit, Feb 15, 2026 at 11:07 PM 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 at 6:45 AM 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 at 10:29 AM IP