# srm > Securely remove files or directories. > Overwrites the existing data one or multiple times. Drop in replacement for rm. > More information: . - Remove a file after a single-pass overwriting with random data: `srm {{[-s|--simple]}} {{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|--recursive]}} {{[-s|--simple]}} {{path/to/directory}}` - Prompt before every removal: `srm {{[-i|--interactive]}} {{\*}}`