I learned about this today from another member - I haven't used it yet but I like the concept. I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it or are there similar applications you have used?

Here is some basic info from the main website:
File Shredder is free desktop application for shredding (destroying) unwanted files beyond recovery

With File Shredder you can remove files from your hard drive without fear they could be recovered. There are quite a few software tools today for retrieval of deleted files under Windows OS. Those tools, often referred to as "file recovery" software, are taking advantage of shortcoming of WIndows "delete" command that we all use regularly to delete files. Actually, the "delete" operation in Windows only removes bits of information from files so they appear deleted in OS. It is easy to retrieve those files using aforementioned specialized file recovery software.

In order to remove, or shred files permanently from your system you have to use a program that is capable of rewriting the files with random series of binary data multiple times. This process is often called shredding. That way, the actual content of the file has been overwritten and the possibilities to recover such a shredded file are mostly theoretical.

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Tess, when I got my new laptop that was one of the reasons I choose the one I did. I think that virtual shredders are a great idea, especially in our line of work!

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Kathy
www.theofficevirtuoso.com

What a great program! I will use this with my computer and laptop. Thank you! :-)

This is awesome! I will definitely be trying this program out!

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Blessings,
Carol

Thanks so much for this information.
I was wondering how to assure my clients that I could permanently delete their files from my computer if necessary.

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Marsha Willis
Alternate Office Solution

I know a lot of tech guys who use this program or one like it. It's pretty much the only way to completely delete a file without reformatting your harddrive. The bad news is that it will only shred current files. It won't go through and find old bits of files and delete them (not as far as I know, anyway). If you have an older hard drive, I recommend backing up all your files, reformatting your hard drive and reloading your OS and applications and then restoring your files. Then use something like FileShredder in the future. If you deal with any medical records, it's a good idea to do this in order to be HIPPA compliant.

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Jodith Allen
Administrative Arts

Very useful! Thank you for sharing this great tool, and the concept of virtual "file shredding" in general.

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Liz
Blue Canary Design & Virtual Assistance

The flip side of using 'file shredders': what if you do need to recover a file? (e.g. you've deleted an important file and realised you didn't have a backup). If the file shredder works properly, it will be impossible for even a data recovery firm to retrieve the file.

Not all of your files are confidential enough to warrant the 'secure deletion' process.

This is super! Although I do not have a need right now for this, I am definitely going to keep note of the site. But a friend does medical transcription and will definitely want to know about it. Thanks!!

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services

that sound like a good idea.... Ill give it a go and get back to you...