Deletions of files, etc.

When files are deleted, where does this data go? I understand that when you dispose of a hard drive, data can be restored despite its deletion. This would allow someone to access critical personal info that you have created over time.

 

First to the trash can then the comp uses that area left behind to write new info --Even if your paranoid just go in and format the hd(mbr-etc) as this will make data recovery nearly impossible(100'sof dollars to have recovery done and usually not a complete pic of what was on the hard drive (just nonsensical data and a bunch of garbage)) SO unless these are state secrets I would not sweat it after a reformat

 

When you delete a file, the file is not actuallly deleted. The entry if the Master File Table (MFT) or the File Allocation Table (FAT), depends on what version of windows and file system you are using, is deleted. When you delete a file in windows the MFT/FAT information is maintained by the Recycle Bin, that way if you decide to restore a file, the drive space that contains the file has not been over written with other data.

Just because you delete or rewrite the Master Boot Record (MBR) does not destroy the data of the Hard Drive; makes it difficult, not impossible, to recover the data. The only sure fire method of destroying data of your hard drive, is to use a program to do a secure wipe of the file or hard drive.

 

Thank you for the info.