How to Securely Delete Data from Hard Drives!
 

Hi,

So you think the data on that old Hard disk, SSD and whatever has been erased therefore no recoverable data. Guess what, there are people/labs that can recover data if you do not erase or destroy that data properly.

How to Securely Delete Data from Hard Drives! is a good read to hopefully help you. Surprise is that Gnu/Linux has been suggested to solve this issue for Microsoft Windows users. :)

As noted two widely available Gnu/Linux based tools: DBAN 2.2.6 & Parted Magic which are very useful to removed the data.

My preference is DBAN for my personal & client use. Be sure to have time available to wait. :)

I use DBAN as well, I get given older PCs from local business' to rebuild and give away to people who haven't got the money to buy a new machine. Some of these business' (law firms, accountants, etc.) have very sensitive data on these machines so I give DBAN a couple of goes and then install Linux.

What does DBAN different than just to use dd for overwriting the data?

I thought this was the way to wipe a drive nowadays?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05...structing_ssd/

NO, I said press the GREEN BUTTON!!!!

Member response
 

Hi,

I suggest that you look at the DBAN FAQ.

Plus a good referenced article: Overwriting Hard Drive Data
This article has in depth discussion & is a good synopsis for referenced white paper(s). Please remember that opposing viewpoints/opinion for recovery are possible.

DBAN does meet the standards for erasure of media.

I am old school and believe that attempts to recover data that has been nuked will take a user loads of time to find potential useful data. By use of a utility like DBAN and reformatting then the drive will be secure for the original owner. That's one reason to destroy the media physically if your are that worried about sensitivity.

I too recycle old equipment for users who cannot afford to pay $$ for mega machines. DBAN assures the original owner the equipment will be safe to recycle. Sure, 'dd' could be used and then reformat but DBAN just automates the tasks and passes the standards test.

I still prefer a hammer.

I always liked the idea of thermite myself. One day I hope to try it out.

Member response
 

Hi,
If you do then be sure to be Verrrrry careful!

Indeed, that's why I haven't done it yet. One of those things to do should a safe opportunity arise, I think.

I can verify that hammers work just fine.

Some comments:

• I think that, these days, any article that doesn't acknowledge that there are different considerations when considering an SSD from those that have been involved with a conventional hard drive is somewhat unsatisfactory. At least with the SANS article, they mention the magnetics often enough so that if you think about it, that could be clear, where the e-security article can't really claim that defence.
• While I suspect that the SANS article is probably pretty accurate in its conclusions, there is no raw data that an independent person could go through and check. This is not ideal.

Oddly, I had a look at one long thread on the DBAN site, where someone tried to ask about SSD secure erase, and that thread degenerated into name calling before there was a definitive answer, which is unfortunate.

Problems with a ssd would be that the drive can't be totally accessed like typical mechanical drive. The ssd has a program that could disable some memory locations and still leave data in. You'd have to get past that to open all memory locations and wipe it a number of times.

Hence the need for thermite :D.
Joking aside though, I would think that SSDs (and hard drives for that matter) are not worth enough second hand for anyone subject to secrecy rules to bother selling them. The price per GB may not be shooting down with SSDs as it did hard drives but considering their wear are they worth much second hand after being used in the enterprise?
Physical destruction is a simple way of solving any data privacy issues. The problem with this, of course, is doing so in an environmentally friendly way as possible though from what I can gather the only people recycling materials from electronics are doing so using slave labour.

If you want to donate computers to the local charity then buy some cheap hard drives new and write them off against tax when you give away the rest of the computer.

"the only people recycling materials from electronics are doing so using slave labour."

Ouch, I was feeling good about turning in my stuff for the scrap metal value too.