Secure File Deletion and Data Shredding

594 views Updated Jun 3, 2026 94% found this helpful

Secure File Deletion and Data Shredding

When you delete a file normally, the data remains on your disk until it is overwritten by new data. True Protection by Jag includes a secure file shredder that permanently destroys deleted files so they cannot be recovered by data recovery tools.

Shredding Methods

  • Quick Shred (1 pass): Overwrites data with random bytes once. Suitable for most personal use cases.
  • Standard Shred (3 passes): Overwrites data three times using the DoD 5220.22-M standard. Recommended for sensitive documents.
  • Secure Shred (7 passes): Seven overwrite passes for maximum security. Recommended for highly confidential data.
  • Gutmann Method (35 passes): The most thorough method available. Use this for classified or regulated data where compliance requires it.

Using the File Shredder

  • Step 1: Right-click any file or folder in your file explorer and select Shred with True Protection.
  • Step 2: Choose the shredding method.
  • Step 3: Confirm the operation. Once started, shredding cannot be undone.

Scheduled Shredding

Configure automatic shredding for your Recycle Bin, browser downloads folder, or any custom folder. Navigate to Privacy > File Shredder > Scheduled Tasks to set up recurring secure deletion. You can also enable Shred on Empty for the Recycle Bin, which replaces the normal empty operation with a secure shred.

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