When you directly delete a file from your computer by pressing shift delete or deleting a file from an external connected digital media device are you actually deleting that file? Also, when you empty files that have been placed into your Windows recycle bin does that permanently delete a file so that no one can ever need it? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding no. Deleting a file does not remove the file information from your computer’s hard drive or any other digital media storage. The basic Windows process of file deletion merely marks the space the file held as available to hold new information.
Should anyone have access to your computer and use a basic data recovery tool to scan your hard drive, they would create a list of all recently deleted files and have the ability to reconstruct those files. This means that any personal information you have stored or financial and medical records could be accessed and copied by anyone. To protect the security of your information you must erase hard drive data permanently by placing sensitive files into a file shredder program. These programs will delete data permanently from hard disk drives, USB flash drives, camera memory cards and any other digital storage devices.