richie1492
Level 1 (0 points)
iPad

Q: El Capitan

How do I securely erase files in El Capitan? Before I used CC Cleaner but it is not supported by El Capitan.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 11:57 AM

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richie1492

Q: El Capitan

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  • Helpful answers

  • by pinkstones,Helpful

    pinkstones pinkstones Mar 22, 2016 10:23 PM in response to richie1492
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Mar 22, 2016 10:23 PM in response to richie1492

    You shouldn't be using any kind of "maintenance" application on your computer.  That includes, but is not limited to, the following:

     

    • AVG Cleaner
    • CCleaner
    • CleanMyMac
    • CleanMyDrive
    • MacCleaner
    • MacKeeper
    • Memory Cleaner
    • TuneMyMac

     

    The ability to "secure erase" files from the Trash no longer exists because it's not compatible with SSD hard drives, even if you don't actually have one.

  • by JimmyCMPIT,Helpful

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Mar 22, 2016 10:24 PM in response to richie1492
    Level 5 (7,102 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 22, 2016 10:24 PM in response to richie1492

    use file vault

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204837

    Apple removed secure erase from the GUI of OS 10.11 as the technology is not as secure as FV encryption and it can have a negative impact solid state drives.

     

    3rd party utilities to "enhance" the functionality Mac OS X are not recommended as OS X does not integrate with these tools.

  • by msstaveley,

    msstaveley msstaveley Mar 22, 2016 12:04 PM in response to pinkstones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 22, 2016 12:04 PM in response to pinkstones

    Why?

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones Mar 22, 2016 12:09 PM in response to msstaveley
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Mar 22, 2016 12:09 PM in response to msstaveley

    msstaveley wrote:

     

    Why?

     

    Why?  Because they're unnecessary and many times damaging to the computers.  Macs do not need "maintenance" programs to take care of their hard drives.  Any 3rd party app that claims it will clean, optimize, refresh, organize, or delete anything from your system should be avoided like the plague.  MacKeeper was involved in a class-action lawsuit for fraudulent business practices, and the others are no better.  They're scamware.