Jeff McRitchie

Paper Shredders: Four Different Types

Since identity theft has become a fact of life and certain federal privacy laws need to be followed by businesses, paper shredders have become must-have devices. These machines make it possible for you destroy your documents so you can keep vital information private.Choosing a paper shredder can be difficult because there are a lot of things to keep in mind such as the machine's shredding capacity, safety features, etc.

Since identity theft has become a fact of life and certain federal privacy laws need to be followed by businesses, paper shredders have become must-have devices. These machines make it possible for you destroy your documents so you can keep vital information private. This information includes names, Social Security numbers, financial data, credit histories, and more. Choosing a paper shredder can be difficult because there are a lot of things to keep in mind such as the machine's shredding capacity, safety features, etc. One of the most important things to consider is how much security the device offers, so you need to know that there are four main types of paper shredders. Let's take a look at them and see what they offers in terms of security.

1. Strip-cut shredders are some of the most common devices and they tend to be really affordable. (You can usually get a small one for well under $100.00.). These machines turn paper into strips (hence the name) so that it's difficult for anyone to read your documents. Thinner strips offer more security, so if this is the type of machine you want, look for one that produces the thinnest strips possible. These machines can be used for everyday documents such as junk mail and credit card receipts.

2. Cross-cut shredders are really popular because they offer more security than their strip-cut cousins. These devices turn paper into particles by cutting it in two different directions. The smaller the particles are, the more secure your information will be. Cross-cut machines can be pretty affordable, so they're great if you want a good amount of security but don't want to do major damage to your bank account. They're really good for small office use and some are small enough to fit under a desk.

3. Micro-cut shredders are cross-cut shredders that produce extremely small particles. Needless to say, they offer more security than standard cross-cut devices. In fact, the paper particles produced are so tiny that it's virtually impossible to reassemble a document that's been run through one of these devices. These machines are very helpful if your business needs to comply with regulations such as those in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

4. High-security shredders are devices that have received approval from the Department of Defense (DOD) and National Security Agency (NSA). These machines offer the most security and typically have a Level 6 rating, which is the highest security rating possible. High-security devices can be used by the military, governmental offices, and any other organization/business that deals with top-secret information. Anything that's processed by a high-security shredder can't be reassembled at all, so this is a good type of device to use if privacy is of the utmost importance.

Those are the four main types of paper shredders and some information on how much security they offer. When choosing one, think carefully about how much protection you need so you select the right shredder. Then you can be assured that when you shred, your information will stay safe.

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