Delete Sensitive Data from GitHub Repository | Tools for Removing Files and History

Delete Sensitive Data from GitHub Repository

Q: You use GitHub for source control.A file that contains sensitive data is committed accidentally to the Git repository of a project.You need to delete the file and its history form the repository.Which two tools can you use? Each correct answer presents a complete solution.NOTE: Each correct selection is worth one point.

the git filter-branch commandBFG Repo-Cleaner

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Question

You use GitHub for source control.

A file that contains sensitive data is committed accidentally to the Git repository of a project.

You need to delete the file and its history form the repository.

Which two tools can you use? Each correct answer presents a complete solution.

NOTE: Each correct selection is worth one point.

Answers

A. the git filter-branch command

B. BFG Repo-Cleaner

C. the git rebase command

D. GitHub Desktop

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

To entirely remove unwanted files from a repository's history you can use either the git filter-branch command or the BFG Repo-Cleaner open source tool.

https://docs.github.com/en/github/authenticating-to-github/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/removing-sensitive-data-from-a-repository

If you have committed sensitive data accidentally to a Git repository, there are a few options to remove it. However, it's important to note that once you have pushed the sensitive data to a public repository, it's difficult to completely erase all traces of it. Therefore, it's always best to avoid committing sensitive data to a Git repository in the first place.

That being said, the two tools you can use to delete the file and its history from the repository are:

A. the git filter-branch command B. BFG Repo-Cleaner

Option A: the git filter-branch command

The git filter-branch command is a powerful tool that can rewrite Git repository history. It can be used to remove files, directories, or specific content from the entire repository history. Here's how you can use it to remove a file:

Clone the repository to your local machine.
Run the following command to create a backup of the repository:
```
bash
git clone --mirror <repository-url> 
```
Navigate to the cloned repository using the command:
```
bash
cd <repository-name>.git 
```

Run the following command to remove the file from the repository history:

css
git filter-branch --force --index-filter 'git rm --cached --ignore-unmatch <file-name>' --prune-empty --tag-name-filter cat -- --all

This command removes the file from all branches and tags of the repository history.

Finally, force-push the changes to the remote repository:
```
css
git push origin --force --all 
```

Option B: BFG Repo-Cleaner

The BFG Repo-Cleaner is another tool that can be used to remove sensitive data from a Git repository. It's a simpler and faster alternative to the git filter-branch command. Here's how you can use it to remove a file:

Install the BFG Repo-Cleaner on your local machine.
Clone the repository to your local machine.
Run the following command to remove the file from the repository history:
```
php
bfg --delete-files <file-name> <repository-name> 
```
Finally, force-push the changes to the remote repository:
```
css
git push origin --force --all 
```

Note: In both cases, if there are other developers working on the same repository, you should notify them about the changes and ask them to rebase their work on the updated repository history. Additionally, you should consider revoking any access to the sensitive data that may have been compromised.

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