File Shredding

[Gnexus]

I'm trying to find a proper pogram that actually shreds files properly, vs claiming it's doing something and it actually has not. I'm currently trying out AVG Internet Security and did a test on a old USB Drive. I emptied the drive, and then had AVG do a Shred of the free space on it. Then I ran EaseUS Data Recovery to make sure it actually did, and I found nothing. Not a single file could be found. So that's a good start.. However, with individual file shredding. It did nothing.. Said it "Shredded" the file, but it was still there! 

 

I'm also trying Kernel File Shredder, to see how it works. Using DoD 5520 3 pass method. 

 

Suggestions, aside from filling up the hardrive, deleting and repeating several times ? 

 

Eventually I would sell my drives as I upgrade, as I've looked @ getting either a bigger OS Drive, or even standard SSD for Storage or files. I'v thought about going nuts and getting a external SSD and replacing my mechanical drive with an SSD as well, so I can back up files faster and transfers files to and from either drive quicker. 

I have a ton of pictures of family, friends, and photography work that I would not want anyone to get, even if they where determined. I guess I'm a little on the paranoid side. 

[Radium_Angel]

DBAN, if you wanna nuke the entire drive.

DiskGenuis has a "wipe empty space" option, dunno how accurate it is tho

[Electronics Wizardy]

Why do file shredding at all? Just encrypt the drive. Then if you don't use the key, its all gone basically. You can sell a encrypted drive with no worry

 

52 minutes ago, Gnexus said:

Using DoD 5520 3 pass method. 

Don't bother with 3 passes, even the US gov doesn't reccoment it anymore as there is no way to get files after one wipe

 

 

[Nord1ing]

  

17 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Why do file shredding at all? Just encrypt the drive. Then if you don't use the key, its all gone basically. You can sell a encrypted drive with no worry

 

 

That would be a solution. Flash drives (including SSDs) does not like old HDD-era permanent file delete methods and can die prematurely.

Something like Veracrypt is a good solution for entire partition encryption.

[Gnexus]

I never thought of doing it that way. I will look it into it. Thanks!