shred

Shred is a command line tool that allows secure file deletion in Linux and Unix-based systems. It is primarily used to securely delete sensitive or confidential files to prevent recovery by unauthorized individuals. Shred works by overwriting the file's content multiple times with random data, making it nearly impossible to recover any meaningful information from it. By default, shred overwrites the file with random data 3 times, but this can be customized using command line options. Shred can also work on entire directories and its subdirectories, ensuring that all files within them are securely deleted. It supports various file systems and devices, including hard drives, solid-state drives, and even individual partitions. Shred can be used with different options to meet specific requirements, such as changing the number of passes, limiting the number of read errors, or making the overwritten data appear zero-filled. It provides options to run in verbose mode, displaying detailed information about the progress and actions taken. In addition to file deletion, shred can also be used for destroying devices or partitions, making them unusable and preventing any potential data recovery. Shred is widely recommended for those who need to permanently and securely delete files, especially when dealing with sensitive information or when selling/giving away storage devices.