Now you’re much better equipped to know which type of delete you should use in the future. This command overwrites files as they are deleted using a single-pass erase Users can also initiate sanitization while deleting files using the Secure Empty Trash command in the Finder.

In contrast, if you’re working with data that has some sort of sensitive element to it, it may be wise to use the Secure Empty Trash command instead.Īt any rate, here’s what Apple has to say about the whole thing: So which deletion method should you use? I’d say for every day things, it’s safe to continue using the standard Empty Trash command.

With this in mind, it takes a longer time to Secure Empty Trash since an actual overwrite is being performed. So not only are these blocks freed up to accommodate other data, but they’re actually overwritten, and, in theory, less susceptible to recovery. The second, more secure method of deletion-Secure Empty Trash-actually overwrites the deleted file using a single pass erase. You can’t see it, but it is there until another file uses the data once designated to it, and therefore it’s easily recoverable by using recovery software. The actual file is still there on your hard drive. Performing a standard Empty Trash command will simply mark the deleted files as being available to be overwritten should the need for space occur. Unsurprisingly, one method of deletion is more secure than the other method of deletion.

Enable secure empty trash mac