scrub-files(1) GNU Telephony scrub-files(1)
NAME
scrub-files - securely erase files by filling with random data first.
SYNOPSIS
scrub [options] paths...
DESCRIPTION
This command is used to securely erase files. This is accomplished by filling the file with random data in pre-sized chunks. Multiple
passes of random data may also be used. The pre-sized chunks are used to remove information about exact original file size. Other options
include random renaming of the original file before deletion and the use of truncation to break down meta-data on what blocks in the file
system were originally associated with a securely deleted file. This is specifically intended to make it harder to perform forensic analy-
sis on securely erased files.
OPTIONS
--blocksize size
Set the default block size (in 1 k increments) for scrub-files to use when writing random data. This effects both the final file
length, which will be aligned to the specified size, and the way the truncate option decomposes files. The default is 1k.
--follow
Dereference and follow symlinks, erasing the target file.
--passes=count
The number of passes used when writing random data. The default is 1 pass.
--recursive
If argument is a directory, recursively scan directory and any subdirectory contents as arguments.
--rename
Rename the file randomly before deletion to clear persistant inode data.
--truncate
Decompose the file through truncation to break down file system page maps.
--verbose
Display each file being processed to the console.
--help Outputs help screen for the user.
AUTHOR
scrub-files was written by David Sugar <dyfet@gnutelephony.org>.
REPORTING BUGS
Report bugs to bug-commoncpp@gnu.org.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright (C) 2010 David Sugar, Tycho Softworks.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions. There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICU-
LAR PURPOSE.
GNU uCommon January 2010 scrub-files(1)