How Do I Know The Disk Has Been Fully Wiped (Privacy/Security Disk Wiper Software)

How Do I Know The Disk Has Been Fully Wiped (Privacy/Security Disk Wiper Software)
December 20, 2011 — bluecollarpc
https://bluecollarpcwebs.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/how-do-i-know-the-disk-has-been-fully-wiped-privacysecurity-disk-wiper-software/


How Do I Know The Disk Has Been Fully Wiped (Privacy/Security Disk Wiper Software)

Good orientation here …… we are talking….

Data remanence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_remanence

This all depends on what and why you want to do this. If simply passing the PC on to a family member or friend and want all your data wiped off – you can use any disk wiper. It is assumed they are not going to go snooping in some manner with a file recovery software in other words. Simply erase the disk is the procedure without security being a concern.

If you are going to donate the PC or recycle it – then you should absolutely only use a military grade disk wiper (eraser). This guarantees your data is NOT recoverable. I don’t know your sources to the contrary, but that is apparently indisputable. No data period – using military grade wiping software. That’s why it is called military grade. The best available to the public is a military grade software disk wiper. [ 35-pass Gutmann uber-paranoid erasure ]

The paranoia stops here……
(Has this been circumvented ? Not to knowledge)….

“UltraSentry was designed to delete file and folder data to United States Department of Defense standards, which is why we call it a military-grade cleaning application. What does this mean? Well, many electronic files and data are highly-sensitive or private, and when deleted, the data itself still remains on the disk, making it recoverable or accessible by anyone. UltraSentry eliminates that risk by overwriting the file data repeatedly, completely destroying all traces of the sensitive file data, making it completely unrecoverable. The standards to which the data is overwritten are compliant with Department of Defense standards, and are the same standards the U.S. military and government use when deleting top-secret or proprietary electronic information.” http://www.ultraedit.com/products/ultrasentry.html

Mac PCs have this type utility built in I have read.

If you are seeking other, than I think it goes into the area of manually doing things. This is an interesting subject and I am kicking it around on some sites for information.

Of course the oldest security joke about how to never get an infection is to not plug in the computer. Along the same lines, paranoia has to enter the picture somewhere here – such as any type disk wiper can be thought to be performing a “hex dump” of the erased material to be recoverable either for the OS owner (Windows) or the Law or the actual software writer to capture any data involved as of interest for whatever reason. Paranoia can lead to manually performing the task and perhaps with a hex editor. Simply using ” 00 ” overwrite seems less than thorough enough as I have seen it recommended to use three different passes with two different sets the 00 first and last.

IF YOU ARE TALKING DISPOSAL….. PHYSICALLY DESTROY THE COMPUTER DISK…. HEALTH RISK ! …..

Learn how to effectively delete all of the data on your hard drive – and permanently

IN FULL
http://www.digitaltrends.com/how-to/how-to-completely-erase-your-hard-drive/

“….. Get Physical
Another brutally effective way to destroy data on your hard drive is to properly destroy the internal parts of the drive itself. There are several ways to do this, each of which requires physical methods of destruction that can be dangerous and may expose particles or chemicals hazardous to your health. If you are not able to maintain a safe environment, do not attempt these methods. Find a qualified company to assist.

Your data is stored on the spinning platters inside the drive. It is these platters that need targeting. Popular and effective methods for destroying the platters are: 1) industrial shredding, whereby the entire hard drive is fed into a powerful automobile-sized shredder that makes mincemeat of the drive; 2) drilling through the platters a few times with a titanium drill bit (easily found at Home Depot).

Of course, if the CIA, FSB and Mossad are all after your data, you may want to
a) selectively nuke folders and files,
b) write zeros at least seven times,
c) physically disable the drive and
d) get a safer, calmer life.

Summary

Protect your Social Security number and credit card e-bills from getting into the hands of 8-Ball Ernie down at the rehab center. Do not ruin the innocence of those kids at the community center by accidentally exposing them to the contents of your intentionally mislabeled though ineffectively deleted “Personal Budgets” folder. Make your donation of an old computer truly a win-win, good-karma situation for everyone involved. Free tools exist to perform even the most thorough cleaning of a hard drive. Use them. ….”

MORE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-computer_forensics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_remanence