How to Empty Trash Securely on Mac
Managing your Mac’s trash can is an essential task to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently. However, simply dragging files to the trash and emptying them is not enough to ensure complete deletion. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to empty trash securely on Mac, ensuring that your sensitive data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Step 1: Open the Trash
To begin, locate the Trash icon on your Mac’s Dock. It typically looks like a garbage can. Click on it to open the Trash folder.
Step 2: Verify the Files
Before emptying the trash, it’s crucial to verify that you have selected the correct files. Double-click on the Trash folder to view its contents. Ensure that all the files you intend to delete are listed here.
Step 3: Securely Empty the Trash
Once you have verified the files, you can proceed to empty the trash securely. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the Trash icon on the Dock.
2. Select “Empty Trash” from the context menu that appears.
3. A confirmation dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion. Click “Empty Trash” again to proceed.
Step 4: Securely Wipe the Empty Space
Emptying the trash removes the files from the trash can, but it doesn’t permanently delete them from your Mac’s hard drive. To ensure that your data is completely erased, you can securely wipe the empty space on your hard drive.
1. Open the “Disk Utility” application by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
2. Select your Mac’s hard drive from the list on the left side of the window.
3. Click on the “Erase” tab.
4. In the “Erase” section, click on the “Security Options” button.
5. Choose the level of security you want to use for wiping the empty space. The higher the level, the longer it will take, but the more secure your data will be. We recommend using the “35-pass erase” option for maximum security.
6. Click “Erase” to begin the process.
Step 5: Confirm the Deletion
After the secure wipe process is complete, you can be confident that your data is permanently deleted. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check that the trash is empty and that no sensitive files remain.
1. Close the Disk Utility application.
2. Open the Trash folder again and ensure that it is empty.
3. If the trash is empty, you have successfully emptied the trash securely on your Mac.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your sensitive data is securely deleted from your Mac, preventing unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Remember to regularly empty your trash and securely wipe the empty space to maintain the security of your personal information.
