---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# srm

> Securely remove files or directories.
> Overwrites the existing data one or multiple times. Drop in replacement for rm.
> More information: <https://srm.sourceforge.net/srm.html>.

- Remove a file after a single-pass overwriting with random data:

`srm -s {{path/to/file}}`

- Remove a file after seven passes of overwriting with random data:

`srm -m {{path/to/file}}`

- Recursively remove a directory and its contents overwriting each file with a single-pass of random data:

`srm -r -s {{path/to/directory}}`

- Prompt before every removal:

`srm -i {{\*}}`
