Python - file shredding (secure deletion) algorithm

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;







up vote
2
down vote

favorite












Here's the algorithm:



import random
import os

def wipe(f, passes=30):
 if not os.path.isfile(f):
 return "Could not find the specified file!"
 with open(f, "ba+") as f2w:
 size = f2w.tell()
 for i in range(passes):
 f2w.seek(0)

 f2w.write(os.urandom(size))
 new_name = str(random.randint(1000,1000000000000))
 os.rename(f, new_name)
 os.remove(new_name)
 return "Success!"


So my question is, does anyone see anything wrong with this? I was considering using something like srm or wipe and use os.system to call it from Python code. Should I do that?



My main concern is drives and filesystems that use wear leveling. But even if the program overwrites a portion of the file that should render it useless right? And with the file renamed, there should be no way to tell what the file was.




python file file-system




share|improve this question

























    up vote
    2
    down vote

    favorite












    Here's the algorithm:



    import random
    import os

    def wipe(f, passes=30):
     if not os.path.isfile(f):
     return "Could not find the specified file!"
     with open(f, "ba+") as f2w:
     size = f2w.tell()
     for i in range(passes):
     f2w.seek(0)

     f2w.write(os.urandom(size))
     new_name = str(random.randint(1000,1000000000000))
     os.rename(f, new_name)
     os.remove(new_name)
     return "Success!"


    So my question is, does anyone see anything wrong with this? I was considering using something like srm or wipe and use os.system to call it from Python code. Should I do that?



    My main concern is drives and filesystems that use wear leveling. But even if the program overwrites a portion of the file that should render it useless right? And with the file renamed, there should be no way to tell what the file was.




    python file file-system




    share|improve this question





















      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      Here's the algorithm:



      import random
      import os

      def wipe(f, passes=30):
       if not os.path.isfile(f):
       return "Could not find the specified file!"
       with open(f, "ba+") as f2w:
       size = f2w.tell()
       for i in range(passes):
       f2w.seek(0)

       f2w.write(os.urandom(size))
       new_name = str(random.randint(1000,1000000000000))
       os.rename(f, new_name)
       os.remove(new_name)
       return "Success!"


      So my question is, does anyone see anything wrong with this? I was considering using something like srm or wipe and use os.system to call it from Python code. Should I do that?



      My main concern is drives and filesystems that use wear leveling. But even if the program overwrites a portion of the file that should render it useless right? And with the file renamed, there should be no way to tell what the file was.




      python file file-system




      share|improve this question











      Here's the algorithm:



      import random
      import os

      def wipe(f, passes=30):
       if not os.path.isfile(f):
       return "Could not find the specified file!"
       with open(f, "ba+") as f2w:
       size = f2w.tell()
       for i in range(passes):
       f2w.seek(0)

       f2w.write(os.urandom(size))
       new_name = str(random.randint(1000,1000000000000))
       os.rename(f, new_name)
       os.remove(new_name)
       return "Success!"


      So my question is, does anyone see anything wrong with this? I was considering using something like srm or wipe and use os.system to call it from Python code. Should I do that?



      My main concern is drives and filesystems that use wear leveling. But even if the program overwrites a portion of the file that should render it useless right? And with the file renamed, there should be no way to tell what the file was.





      python file file-system





      share|improve this question










      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question









      asked Jan 27 at 13:44









      scripter

      464




      464

























          active

          oldest

          votes











          Your Answer




          StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
          return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
          StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
          StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
          );
          );
          , "mathjax-editing");

          StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
          StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function ()
          StackExchange.using("snippets", function ()
          StackExchange.snippets.init();
          );
          );
          , "code-snippets");

          StackExchange.ready(function()
          var channelOptions =
          tags: "".split(" "),
          id: "196"
          ;
          initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

          StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
          // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
          if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
          StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
          createEditor();
          );

          else
          createEditor();

          );

          function createEditor()
          StackExchange.prepareEditor(
          heartbeatType: 'answer',
          convertImagesToLinks: false,
          noModals: false,
          showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
          reputationToPostImages: null,
          bindNavPrevention: true,
          postfix: "",
          onDemand: true,
          discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
          ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
          );



          );








           

          draft saved


          draft discarded


















          StackExchange.ready(
          function ()
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fcodereview.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f186130%2fpython-file-shredding-secure-deletion-algorithm%23new-answer', 'question_page');

          );

          Post as a guest






















          active

          oldest

          votes













          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes










           

          draft saved


          draft discarded


























           


          draft saved


          draft discarded














          StackExchange.ready(
          function ()
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fcodereview.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f186130%2fpython-file-shredding-secure-deletion-algorithm%23new-answer', 'question_page');

          );

          Post as a guest
































































          -

          Popular posts from this blog

          Chat program with C++ and SFML

          Image
          Clash Royale CLAN TAG #URR8PPP .everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0; up vote 2 down vote favorite This is my client code: (My server is very similar at the moment but I will upload it below this one just in case somebody wants to run it) #include <SFML/Graphics.hpp> #include <SFML/Network.hpp> #include <thread> int main() sf::RenderWindow main_win(sf::VideoMode(800, 800), "Chatcy!"); main_win.setPosition(sf::Vector2i(sf::VideoMode::getDesktopMode().width/2 -400, sf::VideoMode::getDesktopMode().height/2 -400)); main_win.setVerticalSyncEnabled(true); //chatcy logo sf::Texture chatcy; chatcy.loadFromFile("image_chatcy.png"); sf::Sprite logo; logo.setTexture(chatcy); //200x800 //font sf::Font font; font.loadFromFile("FreeSerif.ttf"); //name sf::String name("Client"); name += ": "; //text input area and background sf::RectangleShape in_backg...
          Read more

          Function to Return a JSON Like Objects Using VBA Collections and Arrays

          Image
          Clash Royale CLAN TAG #URR8PPP .everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0; up vote 1 down vote favorite My goal is to create a compact function that can create a JSON Like object from JSON string. I want a function with a small footprint that I or anyone who wants to use it, can simply paste into a module and use. At 61 lines of code, I am happy with its size and portability. Here is an image of JSON Object created from string data using a ScriptControl . Although the Locals Window displays the properties and values correctly, the object itself is extremely difficult to work with. This image shows an object created using getJSONCollection . Because it is made of VBA Collections and Arrays, it is very easy to work with. Option Explicit Private Function getJSONCollection(ByVal Value As Variant, Optional ScriptEngine As Object) As Variant Const DELIMITER As String = "||" Dim col As Collection, JSON As Object, KeyNam...
          Read more

          Will my employers contract hold up in court?

          Image
          Clash Royale CLAN TAG #URR8PPP up vote 8 down vote favorite 2 When I started a new job back in July of 2017, I signed a contract that had the following bindings or restrictions if I was ever to leave the company: Cannot work for a competitor within 25 miles of current companies location for the next two years Cannot offer my services to any organization within 25 miles of current companies location for the next two years Now, when mentioned “my services” this can be related to my profession of website design. This contract seems incredibly binding, 2 years in length, and I’m looking to see if it would actually hold up in an Arizona court. contract employment non-compete arizona share | improve this question edited Aug 7 at 15:35 feetwet ♦ 13.8k 9 37 85 asked Aug 6 at 19:05 Alex S. 46 2 What does your comp...
          Read more