Which program is best to use to permanently remove information on a harddrive?

SaiZo · Jan 1, 2014

I have several extra drives that some I'm going to sell, and some just discard of.
So, I do know that even if I "erase" or format a drive, there is still information that can be found.

Doing some research, I found some programs that can do this for me: DBAN, Eraser, Freeraser, Disk Scrubber.
So, which one should I use?

wiak · Jan 1, 2014

hardwipe with Schneier algorithm is pretty good

Solaris17 · Jan 1, 2014

deriks boot and nuke. choose a method hit enter and watch your drives melt.

newtekie1 · Jan 1, 2014

Blín D'ñero · Jan 1, 2014

SaiZo said:
I have several extra drives that some I'm going to sell, and some just discard of.
So, I do know that even if I "erase" or format a drive, there is still information that can be found.

Doing some research, I found some programs that can do this for me: DBAN, Eraser, Freeraser, Disk Scrubber.
So, which one should I use?

Active KillDisk
http://killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

I use the pro version: Professional version contains 20 secure data erasing methods, including DoD 5220.22 M

Norton · Jan 1, 2014

I use this... 100% effective

*Warning- may affect resale value!

Blín D'ñero · Jan 1, 2014

Glad i posted before the clowns came in...

Norton · Jan 1, 2014

Blín D'ñero said:
Glad i posted before the clowns came in...

Not clowning- the only way to ensure that data is completely wiped is to physically destroy the drive. I don't sell my drives- the get the proper treatment from that very device I posted.

EpicShweetness · Jan 1, 2014

DBAN and a neodymium magnet.
The magnet may affect resale just fyi.

DF is BUSY · Jan 1, 2014

if you are selling them, any of the above mentioned programs are fine
if you are discarding them, strong magnet and or hammer or even a combination of both.

Solaris17 · Jan 1, 2014

Blín D'ñero said:
Glad i posted before the clowns came in...

Not really the only 100% assurence you have is physical destruction. even with govt level algorithms and even more extreme public ones that can take days to write a drive, high level businesses and even the govt still physically destroy data. this is not a secret.

Frick · Jan 1, 2014

Blín D'ñero said:
Glad i posted before the clowns came in...

... Bob.

EDIT: But I'd imagine anything that writes the HDD several times over.

Blue-Knight · Jan 1, 2014

Norton said:
I use this... 100% effective

I wouldn't be so sure. Even the smallest part of the broken disk can contain a lot of data.

If you're really paranoid I would suggest taking the chips, the disk, put everything on a really powerful blender and wait till you see nothing but powder, heat the powder to extreme temperatures. And ultimately: Travel around the planet and discard the powder randomly.

Still, it is not guaranteed your data won't be recoverable.

-----
Anyway, I use dd on Linux.

remixedcat · Jan 1, 2014

My favorite is thermite in addition to the good ol hammerbop

SaiZo · Jan 1, 2014

DF is BUSY said:
if you are selling them, any of the above mentioned programs are fine
if you are discarding them, strong magnet and or hammer or even a combination of both.

Ok, so if they are being discarded - then destroy them (literally)? Would a proton 1100 degaussing wand do the trick, I know a guy who can do that for me.

Steevo · Jan 1, 2014

Glock 40 cal JHP rounds do some good work on removing data permanently.

Otherwise just a few wipes with any of the tools suggested, or fill the drive with 1's then 0's and repartition and format.

Really unless you stored your SSN, card numbers, and other info in clear text the person who buys it will be able to find out as much by the shipping info and your name as by whats left on the drive by the OS after a couple formats and partitioning.

SaiZo · Jan 1, 2014

Testing DBAN right now on secondary system, it's a 1Tb extra/backup drive that isn't in use anymore.

Jetster · Jan 1, 2014

File Shredder. And its free. But all these programs take forever.

AsRock · Jan 1, 2014

remixedcat said:
My favorite is thermite in addition to the good ol hammerbop

remixedcat · Jan 1, 2014

XD yeppers!

buildzoid · Jan 1, 2014

Heat destroys magnets so if you wanted to destroy the drive beyond use quickly you could take of the cover and just leave it over a fire(Candle or camp fire).

vega22 · Jan 1, 2014

@killdisk

i like to use my grinder on them if they are no longer needed.

or take the platters out and use them as coasters.

Jetster · Jan 2, 2014

OMG Screen Savers. We are old

kn00tcn · Jan 2, 2014

so 0'ing every bit in software isnt good enough? 'full format'? even hd tune's write speed test?

Blue-Knight · Jan 2, 2014

kn00tcn said:
so 0'ing every bit in software isnt good enough?

For new hard drives. Yes, it is.

No ordinary recovery software will be able to get data back before the zeros.

But if you are paranoid you may want to repeat filling with 0s and 1s more than once.

Not sure.

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Which program is best to use to permanently remove information on a harddrive?

SaiZo

wiak

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Blín D'ñero

Norton

Moderator - Returning from the Darkness

Blín D'ñero

Norton

Moderator - Returning from the Darkness

EpicShweetness

DF is BUSY

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

Blue-Knight

remixedcat

SaiZo

Steevo

SaiZo

Jetster

AsRock

TPU addict

remixedcat

buildzoid

vega22

Jetster

kn00tcn

Blue-Knight

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