Erasing Hard drives

[Stinkerbell]

I have a computer I want to give away but I don't want my info on the hard drive.  If I do the restore to factory settings using the disk that came with the computer, will that format enough to erase anything that might be on the hard drive??

[Runner]

depends on what you have on it. 

Even a full formatt still leaves info on hard drive.

[a-dhold]

after google-ing  erase hard drive one of the top hits was

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22920;order,1;page,1;c,All%20Downloads/description.html

its free download to a floppy then boot from floppy and it will erase the drives for you


then use your restore disk to make it factory fresh again

[Stinkerbell]

after google-ing  erase hard drive one of the top hits was

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22920;order,1;page,1;c,All%20Downloads/description.html

its free download to a floppy then boot from floppy and it will erase the drives for you


then use your restore disk to make it factory fresh again

awesome, thank you!  I'll look into that!

[Tara]

Here is something Homer posted in the PSA section.


Re: Homer's PSA's
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2006, 01:40:20 PM » Quote 

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As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer. If you want to sell the computer with the hard drive still in it you will have to buy a military grade disk wiper program for about $30. Second-hand computers pose identity theft threat. A new identity theft study conducted by University of Leicester criminologist Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers -- which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide -- can be a potential treasure trove of personal information -- putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The researchers purchased six used computers and conducted a forensic data analysis on each. Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Gill said, "The fact that we found so much personal information through a focused study indicates that the potential for fraud and identity theft from the second hand PC market is huge...Simply re-formatting a hard drive is not enough to make data irretrievable. Anyone disposing of a personal computer must ensure that all data is securely wiped using specialist software to wipe over every sector of the hard drive." Among the data retrieved included: bank account details; correspondence with a bank noting change of e-mail address; sensitive information, including a spreadsheet which contained details of creditors, payroll, and the names and addresses of past and present business customers.

[Runner]

Here is something Homer posted in the PSA section.


Re: Homer's PSA's
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2006, 01:40:20 PM » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer. If you want to sell the computer with the hard drive still in it you will have to buy a military grade disk wiper program for about $30. Second-hand computers pose identity theft threat. A new identity theft study conducted by University of Leicester criminologist Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers -- which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide -- can be a potential treasure trove of personal information -- putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The researchers purchased six used computers and conducted a forensic data analysis on each. Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Gill said, "The fact that we found so much personal information through a focused study indicates that the potential for fraud and identity theft from the second hand PC market is huge...Simply re-formatting a hard drive is not enough to make data irretrievable. Anyone disposing of a personal computer must ensure that all data is securely wiped using specialist software to wipe over every sector of the hard drive." Among the data retrieved included: bank account details; correspondence with a bank noting change of e-mail address; sensitive information, including a spreadsheet which contained details of creditors, payroll, and the names and addresses of past and present business customers.

thank you for that post Tara, people need to be aware that giving a hard drive out is like giving your wallet out.

[Tara]

Here is something Homer posted in the PSA section.


Re: Homer's PSA's
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2006, 01:40:20 PM » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer. If you want to sell the computer with the hard drive still in it you will have to buy a military grade disk wiper program for about $30. Second-hand computers pose identity theft threat. A new identity theft study conducted by University of Leicester criminologist Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers -- which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide -- can be a potential treasure trove of personal information -- putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The researchers purchased six used computers and conducted a forensic data analysis on each. Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Gill said, "The fact that we found so much personal information through a focused study indicates that the potential for fraud and identity theft from the second hand PC market is huge...Simply re-formatting a hard drive is not enough to make data irretrievable. Anyone disposing of a personal computer must ensure that all data is securely wiped using specialist software to wipe over every sector of the hard drive." Among the data retrieved included: bank account details; correspondence with a bank noting change of e-mail address; sensitive information, including a spreadsheet which contained details of creditors, payroll, and the names and addresses of past and present business customers.

thank you for that post Tara, people need to be aware that giving a hard drive out is like giving your wallet out.

Actually Homer posted it, I just stole it and brought it over here.  :o

[jrzydvl]

if you dont wipe it with the disk dont give the hard drive away and have fun with it then by destroying it

[david/ross]

good imfo ty

[justahumping]

after google-ing  erase hard drive one of the top hits was

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22920;order,1;page,1;c,All%20Downloads/description.html

its free download to a floppy then boot from floppy and it will erase the drives for you


then use your restore disk to make it factory fresh again

awesome, thank you!  I'll look into that!

I will add tho. IF you do use this. run it at least 6 times. that is run the program and restore (with false information) 6 different times