How can I completely erase my flash drive?
My flash drive contains a lot of sensitive data. Now, I need to give my flash drive to one of my friends. I have formatted my USB Flash Drive using the format option in Windows. But I read somewhere that data recovery tools or professional data recovery specialists can still recover the information that was stored (of course with enough time and using the appropriate tools). I had stored personal data on the drive like passwords, financial records, my personal diaries and some classified documents from work, which I would rather not share with anyone. Is there any way to wipe my data beyond recovery? Is there any technique or any utility available?
You heard it right that data can be recovered from flash drives, even if you permanently delete them or format the drive. This is because Windows doesn’t allow to permanently deleting data. It goes on overwriting the data with time. Formatting simply replaces the file system. So, there’s every possibility of data being recovered using some low level scanning programs. So, it is recommended to use Remo Drive Wipe, if you really want to erase data beyond recovery. This program overwrites the existing data with junk / garbage values, and therefore eliminates the chances of recovery.
Some qualities for which you should prefer it:
- High speed wiping process
- Easy to use graphical user interface
- Safe and secure
- Complete drive wiping beyond recovery
- Advanced shredding standards
- Award winning, best rated
Features of this tool:
Remo Drive Wipe is probably the best data eraser application of its kind. Remo Drive Wipe erases data permanently from your flash drive beyond recovery, thereby eliminating the chances of misuse of data. The software incorporates strong algorithm which ensures the files/folders are wiped out permanently. It uses various shredding patterns which have been approved by various governmental and non- governmental institutions. This tool overwrites the existing data several times with carefully chosen fixed or random values. To securely wipe your drive, Remo Drive Wipe uses 9 different sanitization methods based on different security standards for drive wiping. All the features are listed below:
- This tool works with Windows XP (Service Pack 2 and 3), Windows Vista, , Windows 7 & Windows 8, and also on Windows Server 2003 & Windows Server 2008
- It works with any flash drive irrespective of the make or file format
- Makes use of 9 different shredding patterns to wipe your sensitive data
- Secure drive erasure methods ensure safety and security
- Erases files, folders and their previously deleted counterparts
- Provides quick drive wiping speed to save time and resources
- Works with an customizable Scheduler
Erasing process
Follow the screenshots below, and perform a few simple click, and your data is securely wiped forever.
Step 1: Download and install Remo Drive Wipe (Trial version)
Step 2:Once, you run the software, the following screen appears
Select the flash drive which you wish to erase completely and hit the next arrow
Step 3:The following screen display the different sanitization methods available for wiping
Step 4:Select the one you feel best, and after your confirmation, the software starts wiping the drive
You will receive a confirmation once the job is completed
Extra features:
- Also erases all your private files and folders permanently from hard drives, memory cards and other USB drives etc.
- Wipe a complete hard drive or a logical drive (partition)
- Compatible with FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5 formatted partitions or drives
Please Note: The trial version only allows using the 3 low security level shredding patterns i.e., Fast Zero Overwrite, Random Overwrite and US Department of Defense (DOD 5220.22 - M). If you wish to use the higher security level patterns for wiping your drive, you need to pay for the license and activate the software.