Just like our actual footprints, we also leave digital traces behind in the virtual world of computers and the Internet. Wise netizens are careful about this and knowingly tread the online landscape equipped with security PINs, passwords, encryption and other data security tools. Losing one’s personal data to virtual thieves is no joke. It’s even scary when you read reports about a network of malware-infected computers stealing personal data and even credit card information.

Ironically, we may try to keep our data safe from web theft caused by internet malware and other file security attacks, but unknowingly give away critical information when donating or selling our used computers. Formatting or partitioning the hard drive is not enough to completely delete data. According to a British research, some vital and even confidential documents associated with the military, medical and business sectors were recovered from about 30% of the hard disks of 300 used PCs purchased from different sources.

To permanently erase files safely, particularly those that contain private and classified information, one needs to use a special software capable of file shredding such as simplisafe. Such program also enables its users to browse the Internet safely without leaving digital footprints and thus keeping their privacy protected from websites that can monitor or access their personal data when visited. Conversely, this is also a data recovery software that can be used in getting back files that were unintentionally deleted via standard Windows procedure; a big help for those who unwittingly trashed documents already inside the Windows recycle bin but later on decided to have them back.

Data recovery and file shredding are both important file management tasks that most computer users encounter, and having software that provides these features is definitely a big plus. One simply needs to learn how to make the most of such functions when dealing with sensitive data to avoid compromising their privacy whether online or offline.