Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
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- Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 9:22 AM
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I'm looking for a tool for trashing HDDs on a heap of PC's I'm replacing at work.
In the past I've gone for the physical destruction method, but this renders the HDD useless for anybody else.
I've spotted quite a few paid-for versions, and I'm not adverse to shelling out a few quid if thats what's required - however experience tells me that a free version would possibly do the job just as well!
Ideally looking for something that I can boot from USB key to use if possible. If not, CD or Floppy might be an option.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 10:39 AM
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Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 11:25 AM
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But watch out for the time it takes on large hard drives with very secure algorithms.
Chilly
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 12:32 PM
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If you really want to deal with an HDD so that there is no possible chance previous files can be extracted, then may I suggest a shiny 12lb hammer.
Not strictly the answer to your post, but perhaps the only sure fire way.
When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 12:44 PM
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data destruction tools usually do work and police usually dont bother with destryoed drives, becuase most of the ones they confiscate havent been destroyed
so fourthed from me
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 1:44 PM
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Even if sectors have been overwritten, it is often possible to recover data because the heads don't align into perfectly the same place. This means that there is a very weak ghost of the original data.
To securely delete a file you must overwrite the actual data with some pattern of bits repeatedly (dozens of times).
"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 1:56 PM
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Quote from: petlew If you really want to deal with an HDD so that there is no possible chance previous files can be extracted, then may I suggest a shiny 12lb hammer.
You have to get the pieces of platter *very* small for it to truly work though
Quote from: axisofevil Files can be easily recovered if they have just been "deleted".
Precisely the reason for posting here.
I am fully aware of how much data can be retrieved from HDDs from past experience:- Even large capacity ones from RAID5 arrays which have been physically damaged can return a large amount of data. Although, yes, it costs *a lot*tm of money.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 3:24 PM
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If you want to release the drives into the wild afterwards they need to be overwritten several times.I think TU does it seven times or so by writing noughts and ones to every sector over and over.To recover any useful data after something like this would cost a fortune.
If you absolutely never,ever want anyone to see what was on the disk then, do the above,then set fire to it at high temperature,then smash it into little pieces with a large hammer and mail the pieces to different parts of the world.The info would still,theoretically, be recoverable but would cost more than a moonshot to retrieve.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 3:34 PM
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I've always been told that the only safe way is by physical destruction of the HD. One simply method I read was to hammer a nail through the casing into the HD which will then render it useless.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 3:56 PM
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As does opening the drive and filling it with glue.
"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 6:01 PM
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The other options would probably work though, but it does make it tricky to sell the HDD afterwards.
I'll stick to Ruslyn's suggestion methinks.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 6:13 PM
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Relatively quick to do and anyone nosing about will have endless hours of fun scouring your useless data, everyone is a winner!
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 6:16 PM
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</lousy_jest>
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 6:19 PM
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Sounds like a lot of effort, but worth it in the end. Wonder which is the fastest method.
Re: Securely trash HDDs before disposal.
27-11-2007 6:24 PM
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Anybody wanna buy a Dell Optiplex GX1?
*SHOCK*
Looked for a picture of a GX1, and came across somebody selling em for £70 each. Crikey!
The ones I have, have a build date of 1999, and given the spec on them, I don't imagine his would be much newer.
Anyone wanna give *me* £70 for one? (I'll throw in a 15" CRT too if you want :P)
Actually, in seriousness - if anybody has an interest in OSless machines of vintage calibre, and/or 17" CRT monitors who is willing to collect from the Leeds/Bradford border, do shout up.
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