Secure Empty Trash on Mac Sierra: How to Securely Delete Files?

macOS Sierra users can permanently delete data by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting "Empty Trash." Confirmation is required via a pop-up window.

While the Secure Empty Trash feature, once available, was removed from macOS with El Capitan in 2015, concerns about secure file deletion remain. This article explores alternative methods for ensuring data privacy after deletion, particularly for sensitive files like password databases.

Understanding Secure Empty Trash

Introduced in 2009 (Mac OS X Snow Leopard), Secure Empty Trash permanently deleted files, preventing recovery. This was particularly useful for shared Macs or public computers, and when preparing a Mac for sale (though formatting remains a viable option). The feature was last available in OS X Yosemite (2014). Apple removed it due to concerns about its inability to guarantee secure deletion in El Capitan.

Secure Empty Trash in macOS Sierra?

No, Secure Empty Trash is not available in macOS Sierra (or subsequent versions). While some users might revert to older OS versions, alternative solutions are recommended.

Securely Emptying the Trash in macOS Sierra

Several methods achieve secure deletion:

1. Encrypt your disk with FileVault:

   1. Open System Preferences.
   2. Go to Security & Privacy > FileVault.
   3. Unlock, enter your username and password.
   4. Click Turn On FileVault, choosing iCloud unlock or a recovery key.
   5. Await encryption completion.

   

   FileVault addresses how hard drives (and even SSDs) handle data deletion. While modern SSDs differ from HDDs, data protection remains crucial.

2. Use a cleaner app (e.g., MacKeeper):

   1. Launch MacKeeper.
   2. Select Safe Cleanup.
   3. Click Start Scan.
   4. Choose Trash and click Clean Junk Files.
   5. Grant full disk access if prompted. A restart may be necessary.

   

3. Manually Empty the Trash:

   • From the Dock: Right-click the Trash icon, select "Empty Trash," and confirm.

   

   • From the Finder Menu: Click the Finder icon, select "Empty Trash," and confirm.

   

   • From the Trash folder: Open the Trash, click the "Empty" button, and confirm.

   

Conclusion

While Secure Empty Trash is gone, FileVault encryption, dedicated cleaner apps like MacKeeper, and careful manual deletion offer viable alternatives for ensuring secure data removal on macOS Sierra. For ease and comprehensive cleaning, a cleaner app provides the most robust solution.

The above is the detailed content of Secure Empty Trash on Mac Sierra: How to Securely Delete Files?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!