When you delete a file, is it really gone? Some people will be pleased to know that it is not really gone. What happens when you send a file to the trash? All that happens is you are removing the path to the file. The file still exists on your hard drive. The file still exists on the hard drive and could easily be retrieved with recovery software.

Cyber criminals, hackers, and other online vigilantes can gain access to personal information stored on your computer even after you think you’ve deleted the files. This includes everything from financial documents to scanned images. If you think those files are gone because they’ve been deleted, think again.

Hackers use the same tools as computer forensics agents use. They can also retrieve your financial records and images.

You can feel confident about what you delete if:

• Will you never need this again?
• Could someone use this information against me?
• Would you be uncomfortable if a stranger recovered this data?

If the answer is ‘No’ to all three of these questions, then deleting is fine.

Files containing personal information, business records, and financial reports are not safe if merely deleted. For these documents, you need to take further steps to ensure that the records are irretrievable and that cyber criminals cannot find them on your hard drive.

Formatting a hard drive and wiping it clean are not the same things. There are free versions of eraser software for both Mac and PC. You should consider wiping it clean if you are:

• Selling a computer
• Recycling a computer
• Giving a computer away
• Donating a computer
• Cleaning out unnecessary files

Source: Norton