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SD cards are small but powerful storage devices that we use to keep private photos, important papers, and other data that we don't want to get into the wrong hands. But did you know that deleting things from an SD card doesn't eliminate them?

These files can likely be found again, which is bad for your privacy. It's important to ensure your data is gone before you sell, give, or throw away your SD card, which is where removing files comes in handy.

Shredding ensures you can't regain data by safely and forever deleting files. In this article, we will talk about why file shredding is important and how it works. We will also show you how to delete files from your SD card securely.

permanently delete files from SD card

What Is File Shredding? Why Should Do It?

#1 What Is File Shredding?

The process of file shredding deletes files from a recording device, like an SD card, so they can't be recovered. Normal file destruction only removes the file's reference in the file system; the data inside stays the same. On the other hand, Shredding overwrites the file's data several times with random data.

The original data is deleted and can't be recovered, not even with the most advanced recovery tools. When you shred private information, you can be sure that the files you delete are gone and can't be recovered by anyone else. It gives your personal or confidential data a higher level of security.

#2 Why Is Deleting Files or Formatting Not Enough?

It's not enough to delete files or format an SD card to get rid of the info. When you delete a file, the system only removes its reference, marking the space as free. The data itself stays on the device until new data replaces it. It means that data recovery tools can retrieve deleted files.

Recover Lost Data from SD Card

Recover Lost Data from SD Card

Data recovery software is able to quickly recover deleted, formatted or lost data from a SD card.

Similarly, a quick format removes the file system's layout; the data inside stays the same. It's very dangerous to do this, especially if the SD card has private or secret data. File burning is needed to ensure that data is lost forever and can't be recovered. It writes over the data repeatedly, making it impossible to get back, even with the most powerful recovery tools.

#3 Why You Should Shred Files From an SD Card?

For safety and privacy reasons, shredding information is very important. You might want to shred information from your SD card for the following reasons:

  • Protect Your Data: If you want to sell or give away your SD card, shredding your files will ensure the new owner can't regain the data you removed.
  • Protect Personal Information: Personal photos, videos, and personal papers can be sensitive. They will stay secret after you shred them.
  • Protect Private Company Data: Businesses often keep Private company data on SD cards. Shred your files to ensure this information doesn't get into the wrong hands.
  • Comply with Data Protection Regulations: Some fields have very strict rules about data protection. Shredding files can help you comply with these rules and ensure that data is properly thrown away.

Shred or Wipe SD Card Data With DoYourData Super Eraser

There are many famous and trustworthy third-party programs, like DoYourData Super Eraser, that can safely delete files from an SD card.

DoYourData Super Eraser

  • Securely and permanently delete files from SD card.
  • Wipe entire SD card to permanently erase all data from the card.
  • Certified data erasure standards ensure a full erasure.

DoYourData Super Eraser is a 100% safe and easy-to-use data erasure program. It offers three modes to permanently erase data from an SD card:

Mode 1. Delete files from an SD card permanently.

This mode can help you permanently delete existing files or folders from the SD card. Just add or select the files/folders from your SD card, then click on Erase Now button to permanently erase the selected files/folders.

Erase Files/Folders from SD card

Mode 2. Wipe SD card to permanently delete all data information.

This mode will wipe all data information from the SD card. Just connect the SD card to your computer, then select the SD card and click on Wipe Now button.

Wipe SD card

Mode 3. Erase already deleted/lost data from the SD card.

Wipe Free Space mode will securely wipe free disk space of the SD card and permanently erase all deleted/formatted/lost data from the card without erasing the existing data.

Wipe Free Space on SD card

Note: Once the data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser, the data is lost for good, can't be recovered by any data recovery software.

Wipe SD Card With CCleaner

CCleaner is well-known for eliminating unnecessary files and speeding up your system.

It also has a powerful file shredding feature that can delete files from your SD card forever, making it impossible to get them back.

How does File Shredding in CCleaner Work?

The file shredding tool in CCleaner writes random data over the SD card space that files take up several times. This step is important because it ensures the original data is erased and can't be recovered with data recovery software. Users can pick the level of shredding they want with CCleaner.

Step 1. Download and Install CCleaner:

To begin with, download CCleaner from its main website. The installation process is easy, and once you've completed it, you can run the program to shred your files.

Step 2. Select the Files to Shred:

Open CCleaner and put your SD card into the computer. On the left side of the screen, click "Tools" and then "Drive Wiper." Click this link to pick which files or the whole SD card you want to delete.

CCleaner

Step 3. Choose the Shredding Method:

When you shred files with CCleaner, you can choose from different levels of protection. You can choose from choices like:

  • Simple Overwrite (1 pass): This option overwrites the file's data once, making it suitable for less sensitive data.
  • DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes): A US Department of Defense standard that overwrites data thrice, providing good security.
  • NSA (7 passes): This option overwrites the data seven times, offering higher security.
  • Gutmann (35 passes): This is the most secure option. It overwrites the data 35 times, making recovery virtually impossible.

CCleaner

Step 4. Execute the Shredding Process:

Once you've chosen the right way to shred, click "Wipe" to start the process. This process could take a while, depending on how much data there is and how many times it is shredded. But once it's done, the information will be erased from your SD card forever.

Benefits of CCleaner

There are some benefits of using CCleaner for file shredding:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Using CCleaner for shredding has many benefits, including an easy-to-use interface. The simple interface of CCleaner makes it easy for new and experienced users to safely delete files without knowing much about computers.
  • Customizable Security Levels: CCleaner offers different cutting levels so you can choose the best level of security for your needs, balancing speed and accuracy.
  • Comprehensive Tool: CCleaner is useful for keeping your computer safe and healthy because it can do more than delete files. It also has tools for optimizing your system.

Best Practices for Shredding Files From SD Cards

Follow these best practices to make sure the shredding process is safe and effective:

  • When shredding files, you should only use tools that you know you can trust. Tools that haven't been checked out might not delete all of your data, leaving you open to data recovery.
  • Removing files you don't need keeps your SD card safe, especially if it has private information.
  • Full disk encryption is an extra safety measure that can be added to burning. Encrypted data can't be accessed without the right key, even if files are destroyed safely.

Conclusion:

You must first shred the files on your SD card to protect your private, sensitive, or confidential information. Instead of just deleting or formatting data, shredding ensures it is completely gone and can't be recovered. It protects you from possible privacy breaches.

Deleting is simple, flexible, and safe when using trusted third-party data erasure software. If you follow best practices and only use reliable tools, you can safely recycle or throw away your SD cards without thinking about your data getting into the wrong hands.

FAQs About Permanently Erasing Data from SD Card

1. How to permanently shred a file from an SD card?

First of all, connect the SD card to your computer. Then run a data erasure program - such as DoYourData Super Eraser to permanently delete any file from the SD card:

  • Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser on your computer.
  • Choose Erase Files/Folders mode, then add files/folders from the SD card.
  • Click on Erase Now button to permanently erase the selected files/folders from the SD card.

2. How to wipe a SD card?

Download and install DoYourData Super Eraser on your computer, then open it. Choose Wipe Hard Drive mode, select the SD card and click on Wipe Now button.

3. What is the best SD card file shredder?

Here is the list of top 5 file shredder for erasing files from a SD card:

  • DoYourData Super Eraser
  • CCleaner
  • AweEraser
  • BitWiper
  • Stellar File Eraser
DoYourData Super Eraser

DoYourData Super Eraser

DoYourData Super Eraser, the award-winning data erasure software, offers certified data erasure standards including U.S. Army AR380-19, DoD 5220.22-M ECE to help you securely and permanently erase data from PC, Mac, HDD, SSD, USB drive, memory card or other device, make data be lost forever, unrecoverable!

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Shirly Chen

Shirly Chen has been writing data recovery, data erasure articles for DoYourData over 4 years. She has been working as a professional website content writer & editor for quite a long time. She also writes articles about disk clone, Mac optimization, disk backup, etc.

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