Archive for the ‘Cross Cut Shredders’ Category

This article provides you with a comparison of different types of shredders and features. If you are shopping for a new paper shredder and wondering which one is best for you, hopefully this guide will help you out.

Security – As far as security goes, cross cut paper shredders are the most secure (cross cut is also known as confetti cut, diamond cut or micro cut). There are software programs available that can recreate information from strip cut paper shreds. Where as cross cut paper shreds are considered to be impossible to recreate.

Ease of Use – To many people this is the most important. None of us want another electronic in our life that is hard to use. Consider getting a paper shredder that has an auto reverse button, this will allow you to clear paper jams fast and easily. Or, get a shredder with jam-free rollers.

Another ease-of-use feature is a pull out paper bin. Many people prefer pull out bins versus standard bins. With a standard bin you have to remove the top of the shredder to empty it. The pull out bins are more convenient, easier to use and doesn’t make a mess.

Safety — If have small children and are shopping for a paper shredder for your home, consider getting one with a safety guard. Most safety guards will shut down the shredder or not allow it to turn on if the top is off of the shredder, the gears are exposed, the bin is open or the shredder has tipped over.

What you need to shred — Will you need it to shred credit cards, CDs or DVDs? How about staples or paper clips? Getting a shredder than take staples will cost a bit more money but it might be worth it to not have to spend time removing staples.

Budget — If you are shopping for a personal paper shredder for your home and are planning to only shred a handful of papers a day or less, you will be able to find a paper shredder for under $150 that fits your needs. If you are looking for a paper shredder for your office and plan to shred a stack or two of paper a day, then you will want to invest in a commercial grade shredder which start at $150-$200.

In summary, choose a paper shredder based on safety, security and ease of use, how much you will be shredding and what you will be shredding.

Heidi DeCoux is a Professional Organizer, Public Speaker, and Author of the Fast-Filing Method audio program available at http://www.ClearSimpleLiving.com She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. She recommends checking out the paper shredders at http://www.shredyourpapers.com

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It seems simple enough-paper shredders shred paper, right? Sort of. “Shred” is a sort of catchall word used to describe the mechanized pcess of destroying confidential or sensitive papers to ensure private information is not revealed to others. While all paper shredders have the same goal, they don’t all achieve their objective in the same manner or with the same level of effectiveness.

The two main types of paper shredders are strip-cut and cross-cut (confetti-cut). Strip-cut models are also known as straight-cut or spaghetti-cut and cut the paper into long strips about

For home or small business uses, most people don’t really take the time to research paper shredders. They basically select a model based on price and size. While this approach may work some of the time, those shoppers rarely get the best shredder for their needs. Speaking of needs, those will vary greatly depending on the business and individual. Business owners will need to select a shredder that has the capability to handle their shredding volume, as well as a decent security level. Shredders for personal use will be lower volume shredders, but they will need to have some security level as well.

Security level is defined as a cutting format and size of the cutting output. Modern day shredders cut paper into thin strips or they “crosscut” and turn the paper into small diamond shaped squares that are also called confetti. The smaller the cut size is, the more secure the shredder is considered. For example, most strip shredders cut the paper into 1/4″ or 1/8″ inch strips. This is generally considered a security level 2 or 3. Crosscut shredders vary in cut size and can cut so small that the paper is basically reduced to super small particles. A crosscut shredder of that level would be considered a security level 5. The most secure security level is a 6 and this is a U.S. government or DOD level shredding device. A level 6 security shredder will basically shred paper to a pile of dust.

The average business can get by with a security level 3 or 4 shredder. Although businesses that shred customer data or highly sensitive personal data (like a CPA) would be better suited to a level 5. The downside to higher security level shredders is the fact that the shredder take longer to shred and will hold much less paper than a lower security model.

A level 2 shredder will work for personal documents, although a level 3 is a better choice. A diligent criminal could possibly reconstruct a piece of paper shredded by a level 2 shredder. From a consumer standpoint, take the time to see what security level the shredder is rated. A number of companies will market their shredders as “security models” or “crosscut” models, even though they are really rated as a level 1 or barely a level 2.

Using any level paper shredder is still better than none at all, but you are better served to do a bit of research. This will allow you to choose the best shredder model for your needs.

With all the different paper shredders on the market today, choosing the best one for your needs can be tough. The tips and suggestions listed above should offer some help with your shredder choice.

For more information, consider visiting=> Paper Shredders.

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Using paper shredders is a good practice and a good habit to get into. It is no secret that paper shredders are great for destroying sensitive information and protecting one’s identity. That being said, some paper shredders do a better job of shredding paper than others. The biggest difference is the size of the shredded paper after the process is done.

While answering a few questions in Yahoo! Answers the other day, I came across someone asking the question, “Is it OK if I use scissors to cut up credit card applications?” I almost let out a gasp of disbelief. I then went on to post my own answer to the question. It went something like this.

Cutting up a credit card application, or other paper material, with scissors is certainly better than nothing, but will not give you adequate protection from identity theft. Paper cut with scissors is relatively easy to put back together if one has the time. Most criminals won’t bother, but some will.

There are actual documented cases of credit card applications being taped back together, filled out, sent in and accepted! To put it in simple terms, tearing or cutting up sensitive information does not work.

I then went on to explain proper document destruction. Documents that contain any information you don’t want others to see should be shredded, using an electric powered paper shredder. Not only should you use a paper shredder, but it should also be a cross cut shredder (also known as confetti cut or particle cut shredders).

Strip cut paper shredders just don’t cut it (excuse the pun). Strip cut shredders cut paper into