In late 2022, Birmingham, AL-based heart hospital, Cardiovascular Associates reported unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on their secured network. This led to the leakage of personal data including names, Social Security numbers, and more, of around 441,000 patients. – Source
Imagine how much data must have been leaked by hackers. Lately, there have been multiple cases of data leakage, privacy breaches, etc., that challenge our notions of data security every day.
Hackers and e-waste recyclers are always on the lookout for devices from which they could dig out “gold”. Not the metal of course, but the data on them. From financial details to personal documents, and deleted or junk files, this data is more valuable than oil or gold.
You must be wondering what hackers get out of junk files. The answer is simple: everything. Let’s try to understand junk files in detail.
Junk files Demystified
As the name goes, junk files are useless data that we delete or discard from our PC. However, sometimes, we cling on to junk files by stowing them away in a folder and forgetting about them. Temporarily, these junk files seem to have no effect on the drive.
However, in the long run, these files accumulate and start choking the drive and eating up unnecessary space. Some files also tend to get corrupted, causing performance issues with the drive. To avoid such inconveniences, you must wipe off junk files from your computer permanently.
How Vulnerable Are Junk Files?
Yes, like any other file, junk files are vulnerable to data theft. As the saying goes, ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,’ these junk files are like a gold mine for data thieves. From identity- related documents to financial details and personal files, there is a lot of data that can be dug out.
Junk files also contain data, including old utility bills, browser data, and media files. You may not want them anymore, but for hackers, the information is enough to breach your privacy.
Dumpster Diving
To reach sensitive data on your discarded computer drives, people with malicious intents commonly practice what is known as ‘dumpster diving.’ As the name suggests, it is the act of salvaging useful and sensitive information, such as browser history, financial details, login credentials, and more.
Once stolen, this data can be misused to harm your privacy. This is why it becomes essential to securely erase junk files and other data from your PC.
Is There a Way to Securely Remove Junk Files from a PC?
Even formatting a drive or deleting junk files using the SHIFT + DELETE key combination is not enough. Using these methods also leaves minor room for data recovery. As no manual method is foolproof, you should securely remove junk files and other data from your PC.
Securely erasing files using this software will render the files irrecoverable.
To securely remove junk files from your PC, you can take the help of a reliable file eraser like Stellar File Eraser. This software allows you to permanently wipe sensitive files, documents, web browser activity, and junk files from your system.
Securely erasing files using this software will render the files irrecoverable. This software also helps you securely wipe deleted file remnants, application traces, folders, and confidential information saved on a web browser.
You must be thinking that using such a wonder product would be difficult. Using Stellar File Eraser is pretty simple; even a home user with no experience with data erasers can use this software to wipe their confidential data.
Follow this simple step-by-step guide to remove junk files from a PC using this software –
- Buy Stellar File Eraser from its official website.
- Launch Stellar File Eraser.
- Click on Erase Files & Folders in the left pane.
- Click on Add Items to add folders & files. You can add multiple folders and files to erase in a single operation.
- Click on Erase Now.
- A dialog box will appear; click on Proceed to move further.
Note – You can skip the manual steps of erasing files by scheduling future file erasure tasks. Simply click the Scheduler option in the left pane and schedule an automatic file erasure task on your PC.
Benefits of using Stellar File Eraser –
- Permanently wipe all kinds of files and information on your PC.
- Securely erase internet activity, application traces, activity logs, deleted file traces, system traces, temporary files, and critical documents with ease.
- Safeguard your privacy from unwanted breaches.
- Protect vital information like financial details and identity-related information from hackers.
Other Methods to Remove Junk Files from a PC
The best way to permanently wipe junk files from a PC is to use a robust file eraser. However, many users love tinkering with DIY methods before using specialized software. For them, we have compiled some workarounds to remove junk files from your PC. However, one should know that even after using them, there are chances to recover deleted files.
Some DIY methods to delete junk files are –
Method 1: Cipher Utility – It is a utility that is launched via Windows PowerShell and works on files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin. It does not work on files you have not deleted or are in the Recycle Bin.
Method 2: Remove-Item Utility – Remove-Item is another command-based utility that you can use via Windows PowerShell. You can use it with the ‘Recurse’ parameter to remove junk files from your PC.
Method 3: Perform Factory Reset – Factory resetting your PC allows you to delete all files and applications from your PC and restore it to factory settings. Use this option only when you are discarding or selling your PC.
Don’t Just Delete Junk Files, Wipe them Off Permanently
Whether you are an individual or a small business owner, data breaches are unexpected and can cause a lot of problems. A small junk file can become a source of confidential information about you or your business.
Therefore, secure file erasure must be adopted indiscriminately over file deletion. This will ensure permanent erasure of critical information and files, which will eliminate any chances of data leakage.
Related Reads
Want to deep dive into the realm of file erasure? Here are some handpicked articles for you.
How to Clear Microsoft Edge Cache & Cookies?
Methods to Delete Everything on a Laptop
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is identity theft related to dumpster diving?
A. Yes. Dumpster diving is one of the most common methods of identity theft.
Q. Is it safe to delete junk files?
A. Yes. It is absolutely safe to delete junk files from your PC. However, make sure to remove them securely.
Q. Do temporary files or junk files slow down a PC?
A. Temporary files or junk files accumulate over time. If left unattended for a long time, they can affect the system’s performance or slow it down.
