Old PC's are goldmine for data thieves - Virtual Dr Forums-Computer Tech Support

**SuperSparks** · #1 September 3rd, 2004, 05:33 PM

The title of the thread says it all:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09...pcs_not_wiped/

**Welshjim** · #2 September 3rd, 2004, 07:56 PM

SuperSparks--Not quite all.

Any recommendations for effective disk wipers--preferably free?
I know of one, but have never used it, so do not know how good it is
http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/download.php

**SuperSparks** · #3 September 3rd, 2004, 09:45 PM

I've used eraser, though not for quite that purpose - it's very useful as part of the process of compacting virtual hard drives in VirtualPC. It seems very thorough, though not the most user friendly app I've ever used. It has to be said that if the information is really sensitive, then the only certain way to avoid recovery is actual physical destruction of the drive. But I think for the purposes of most people Eraser will do the job nicely. Here is an excellent article:

Disk Sanitization

Yuri · #4 September 18th, 2004, 11:05 PM

Whenever I have sold an old machine of mine I use a program called D.B.A.N (Darik's Boot And Nuke) it securely wipes the hard drive and makes sure that I cannot be recovered.
DBAN homepage
DBAN screenshot
Hope that it helps.
Yuri.

**Welshjim** · #5 September 18th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Yuri--Thanks. But did you notice the comment on the DBAN page
"December 2002: DBAN is now bundled with Heidi Eraser for Microsoft Windows."

Bobrobert · #6 September 23rd, 2007, 07:41 PM

I am assuming that sanding the shiney layer off of the surface of the hard disk, removes any and all information. Is that a correct assumption?

**SuperSparks** · #7 September 23rd, 2007, 07:48 PM

Yes indeed, that would do the job nicely.

**Welshjim** · #8 September 23rd, 2007, 08:29 PM

Putting thr HD through a shredder or using a hammer on it--many times, and distributing the pieces in several places would probably also work. And so would putting into furnace or fireplace, without the need for distribution.
Note this is a three year old thread.

**Train** · #9 September 23rd, 2007, 08:57 PM

But still a good reminder.

Once it is on the platters, it stays there forever.

Bobrobert · #10 September 24th, 2007, 12:44 PM

The theory is that the magnetic part of the platter is a very thin, actually 2 dimensional layer, with the underlying structure being aluminum, which isn't magnetic, so that by removing the magnetic layer, the information is gone. I am also wondering about just wiping the platter with the very strong magnet found in the hard drive. That would probably cause a lot of chaos with the information.

**SuperSparks** · #11 September 24th, 2007, 05:42 PM

Wiping with a magnet does work, though I don't know how effective a permanent magnet would be - very powerful electromagnets are usually used. Even then, the recovery techniques can be very sophisticated if someone is determined enough, and the original data can be recovered even after overwriting with other data. I suspect that magnetic wiping would still leave a bit of a trace that is recoverable. If you want to be certain, then physical destruction by sanding the platters or breaking the platters is still the most certain way IMO.

Bobrobert · #12 September 24th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Thanks SuperSparks.
Also, I guess that just protecting against identity theft, that there is a point where any attempts to read the platter would be too expensive, even if it were possible. OK, so sanding is going to be my method!

**SuperSparks** · #13 September 24th, 2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobrobert

I guess that just protecting against identity theft, that there is a point where any attempts to read the platter would be too expensive, even if it were possible.

That is very true, even overwriting with a couple of passes with something like Eraser will force anyone who is trying to get the data to use some very sophisticated and expensive equipment indeed. And that';s apart from the fact that it is a very time consuming process. Considering how many easier ways there are to get info in order to commit identity theft, I can't imagine any criminals would ever take the trouble. On the other hand, if they knew that the drive originally came from a bank then they might well do, which is why those sort of institutions ought to destroy every drive IMO.

**Train** · #14 September 24th, 2007, 10:10 PM

Best bet, melt the hdd into a liquid.
2nd break open the case, scrape the disk and deposit in lots of dumpsters.

90 Percent Success Rate

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TECH/co...is.manage.idg/

And you do not need to read between the lines either.

**SpywareDr** · #15 September 25th, 2007, 05:52 AM