The following is a quick method of deleting files from the shared USB thumb-drive/disk so that
tech-savvy patrons cannot recover deleted files.
As a matter of fact, simply deleting a file from ANY storage medium only deleted the pointer to the data but the data remains on the device. Tools are readily available that can recover deleted files and many of these tools are free and easy to use.
While the BEST line of defense against this risk is to use a DISK WIPE utility, performing a format on the USB device would at least make data recovery more difficult.
Here are some basic instructions for formatting a USB disk.
1) Plug the USB disk into your computer.
2) Open Windows Explorer
3) Right-click
on the USB device and select Format.
CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU’RE SELECTING THE CORRECT DRIVE!
4) In the Format Window, clear the check mark next to Quick Format, and then choose Start
5) The
Format process will begin and will take about five minutes for a 4Gb disk.
That's it, you have successfully formatted the USB thumb-drive.