When deleting a file, simply throwing it into the wastebasket and clearing it will not completely clear the data. The default delete operation of macOS removes only the file index, and the actual data remains on the hard disk until it is overwritten by new data. For sensitive information, a safer method of deletion is required. 1. Use the "Safe Delete" terminal command srm filename, suitable for mechanical hard disks (HDD); 2. Use "Disk Tool" to erase empty space and clean deleted but residual data; 3. Enable FileVault encryption to make ordinary deletion equivalent to safe deletion; 4. Use third-party tools such as EraserDrop to perform convenient and secure deletion. Choose the appropriate method according to the type of hard disk and privacy needs to effectively prevent data recovery.
When deleting files, throwing them into the wastebasket and then emptiing them does not mean that the files are really completely gone from the computer. The default deletion method of macOS is to remove the file index, and the data itself remains on the hard disk until it is overwritten by new data. If you are dealing with sensitive information, such as financial records, private photos or work documents, you need a safer way to completely clear the data. Here are some practical ways to help you delete files truly "unrecoverable" on macOS.
Use the "Safe Delete" feature (for mechanical hard drives)
macOS used to have an option called "Safe Delete", which can overwrite the file content multiple times to ensure that it cannot be restored. Although this feature has been removed in newer system versions, if you are still using macOS that supports this feature and are connected to a traditional mechanical hard drive (HDD), you can still achieve similar effects through the terminal.
Open Terminal and enter the following command:
srm filename
where filename is the file name you want to delete. This command will delete the specified file in a safe way.
Note: This method has limited effect on SSDs (solid-state drives), because the storage mechanisms of SSDs are different, and repeated writing may affect the lifespan.
Use Disk Utility to Erase Empty Space
If you have deleted many files but are worried that they can still be restored, you can use Disk Utility to erase the empty space on the disk. This step can clean up those "deleted but not overwritten" data.
The operation steps are as follows:
- Open "Applications → Utility → Disk Utility"
- Select your disk (not partition) on the left
- Click "Erase" in the top menu bar and select "Erase blank space"
- Complete the operation according to the prompts
This process cleans up residual data in all available spaces at once, making it suitable for regular maintenance.
Enable FileVault encryption to simplify the secure deletion process
If you enable the FileVault full disk encryption function of macOS, then ordinary deletion operations are actually safe enough. Because even if someone tries to recover data, they can only get a bunch of encrypted garbled codes.
How to enable FileVault:
- Go to "System Settings → Privacy & Security"
- Click the "FileVault" tab
- Click the lock icon to unlock it and turn on FileVault
Once enabled, you don’t need to do additional safe deletion operations. Ordinary deletion is equivalent to “safe deletion”.
Third-party tools are another option
If you think terminal and disk tools are too troublesome, you can also consider using third-party software to assist with secure deletion. For example:
- EraserDrop : A simple drag-and-drop application designed for macOS, supporting multiple erasing algorithms.
- permanent delete apps : Some paid or free gadgets can also provide a graphical interface to make it easier for you to operate.
However, before using it, you must make sure that the software source is reliable and supports your current macOS version and hard disk type.
Basically these are the methods. Depending on what hard drive you are using, whether your encryption is enabled, and your privacy requirements, just choose the appropriate deletion method. Don’t underestimate this detail, it can help you save a lot of trouble at critical moments.
The above is the detailed content of How to securely delete files in macOS?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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