Destroying a HDD

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by HURST, Dec 22, 2008.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. HURST

    HURST Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,419
    Just found this website which reminded me this thread (unfortunately too old to reply)
     
  2. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2007
    Posts:
    11,126
    Location:
    U.S.A. (South)
    If you want to destroy and wipe it just install all the malwares you can find and let them bug it to no return. Then use ERASER or/and another program that wipes the drive so aggresively like DBAN or WIPE DRIVE PRO (Shareware) or HDDERASE (Freeware) that completely pulverizes whatever was on it and is unrecoverable.

    Make sure first that you clean Index.dat files and use Shellbags from Nirsoft and CleanAfterMe newest version that writes random then zeroes.

    RevoUninstaller also deletes deleted files followed by RESTORATION " Delete Completely" and then Indext.dat cleaner and/or CCleaner latest FIRST!

    That leaves nothing but deleted $MFT files locked to the system, but theres methods to flush those off too. Disable pagefile, reboot, wipe again, then re-enable afterward if you also want to eliminate tracks useage.

    You have plenty of available apps (most free) that can successfully scrape the data platter for destruction of leftover data, just Google them.

    Use the great (freeware) TESTDISK app to try and see if anything is still lodged afterwards.

    Hope that helps some for you.

    EASTER
     
  3. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Posts:
    5,543
    Why not just use DBAN, run maybe 2 wipes, then take the drive apart, break the platters, put the whole thing in a small bag with some heavy rocks, and sling it in your nearest big body of water? Forensic folks can't even try to recover the data if they don't even know where the drive is.
     
  4. markoman

    markoman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    Posts:
    188
    EASTER's method is just an overkill.
    All you need to do is download DBAN, create a bootable CD and boot your PC with it. Make sure you select the right hard disk you want to wipe and start a 1-pass erasing. If you wanna e paranoid, use the 3-pass method.

    After this, if you are going to throw the hard disk away, hit it with a hammer until it opens apart.

    No one will undelete your data after it has been totally overwritten once (this is if you have a recent hard disk, of course).
     
  5. zfactor

    zfactor Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2005
    Posts:
    6,102
    Location:
    on my zx10-r
    yup ^^^ i agree... i overwrite everything with a once over and then smash it or take the lid off and crush the platters.. etc..
     
  6. ragnarok2012

    ragnarok2012 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2007
    Posts:
    45
    If speed is the most important factor, then a sledgehammer would be the fastest way to completely destroy a Hard Drive.

    Most people have a sledgehammer rather than a degausser I would think. It would take an average sledge hammer 20 to 30 seconds tops, (faster than an oxy-acetylene torch which would be the sure fire way to destroy and keep anyone from even knowing that a hard drive was destroyed).

    Software-wise the gig rate per minute would determine the winner (then followed by a sledgehammer).
     
  7. burning_chrome

    burning_chrome Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Posts:
    15
    Encrypt the unwanted hard drive using TrueCrypt, wipe it using Darik's Boot & Nuke Hard Drive Eraser, soak it in a bucket of saturated salt water, and then take a screw driver to it for complete dismantlement.

    FTR, I'm just restating methods I've read here on Wilders and elsewhere.
    The TrueCrypt/DBAN approach was really a novel one: securing wiping using X-number passes of 256-bit AES encrypted data.
     
  8. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2007
    Posts:
    11,126
    Location:
    U.S.A. (South)
    Do all the above suggestions then throw it into the river. Mission Accommplished :cool:
     
  9. Searching_ _ _

    Searching_ _ _ Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2008
    Posts:
    1,988
    Location:
    iAnywhere
    If it is total putrification of data,
    Method 1
    bury it some thermite with a long fuse, stand about 20 yards away and watch the fireworks.
    Method 2
    Get a hold of an HHO Welding Torch (will cut through refractory brick and melt tungsten)
    Method 3
    5 gal Home depot bucket; 1 gal brick wash or muriatic acid or concrete etching solution or sulfuric acid. Allow to sit for 2 weeks. then neutralize with baking soda. before discarding.
    Or if you want to keep the drive,
    Method 4
    Use HDDErase from an Intel CPU, data putrified drive still usable.

    Personally, I prefer method 4.
     
  10. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Posts:
    23,936
    Location:
    UK
    Give it to my next door neighbour's dog.

    It seems to be doing a very good job of destroying my fence.
     
  11. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2007
    Posts:
    2,201
    What about Webroot's Window Washer ?

    I know the company isn't exactly popular here, but I have it (older version), and it SEEMS to be effective.
     
  12. TechOutsider

    TechOutsider Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Posts:
    549
    I put a computer by the dumpster, everything intact.

    Nothing happened. The computer wasn't there next day; probably someone.
     
  13. LockBox

    LockBox Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Posts:
    2,328
    Location:
    Here, There and Everywhere
    o_O

    Could you pass around a little of what you're having?
     
  14. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2007
    Posts:
    11,126
    Location:
    U.S.A. (South)
    Open the case lid, pour some MURATIC ACID on the platter. Allow to cure for a hour :cool: , then take it to a factory that destrips metal during their break time that you know, that drive is history.

    EASTER
     
  15. Warlockz

    Warlockz Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Posts:
    642
    Wow this must be one of those threads where everyone has to be joking right?

    LOL, the older HDs you can use a 3 wipe algorithm and supposedly be safe according to Bruce Schneier, but his paper is old and out of date!

    The newer Harddrives you need to use at least a 7 wipe algorithm like Bruce Schneier's algorithm!

    I use Acronis® Drive Cleanser® 6.0 and it works great, and I guarantee no one will ever be able to recover any data Period after using Peter Gutmann's algorithm!

    http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/drivecleanser/index.html

    You can also use Active@ KillDisk - Hard Drive Eraser, this one is free!

    http://www.killdisk.com/

    All of those Story's about recovery after properly wiping a HardDisk is just that, some paranoid freak being paranoid, LOL

    But I guess if it dies on you, you really have no other choice but to smash it! if your so paranoid of getting in trouble for your activities using your HD, you would probably want to Microwave, or melt it down in one way or another!
     
  16. Bob D

    Bob D Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2005
    Posts:
    1,234
    Location:
    Mass., USA
    Unless your HDD contains national defense info, i.e.: nuclear launch codes / targets, I wouldn't worry much.
    Agreed. Many safety sensitive recyclers crush or drill holes in them.
    IF someone will ill intent comes across a mechanically mauled HDD, and IF they spend a lot of time, effort and money to recover the data, chances are all they will recover (on the vast majority of computers) are pictures of the family cat and the kid's school report on Vasco da Gama.
     
  17. markoman

    markoman Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    Posts:
    188
    Warlockz,
    I don't know where you are getting your info from, but probably some unreliable source.
    Overwriting data ONCE on a modern hard drive is enough to make it impossible to recover. If you are paranoid, go for a 3-pass wipe.

    I dare you to find ANY company that will recover data that has been overwritten once.
     
  18. Woody777

    Woody777 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2006
    Posts:
    491
    I Would take it to the Garage. Find my largest Drill install it into my Drill Press & Drill a Series of random Holes in it. Maybe follow up by hitting it with my 20 oz Carpenters hammer.
     
  19. Warlockz

    Warlockz Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Posts:
    642

    I guess Ive been relying on Peter Gutmans Paper, but now that I have googled more on the subject, all I see is post after post saying data cannot be recovered after being overwritten, so why does the government have a 7 Pass Wipe Algorithm if data is unrecoverable after 1 pass?

    I wrote an email to "i365" and asked them this question!

    "I was wondering if it is possible to recover Data from a HardDrive that has been "completely overwritten" with a "single-pass" sanitize method, that overwrites all disk data with random characters (patterns). by a Bootable HardDrive eraser software?

    Thank you for your time and I hope to be hearing from you ASAP! "

    And the site said "Thank you for your online inquiry. A i365 Client Consultant will respond to your inquiry within a business day's time."

    I will give you the answer as soon as I receive their return message! If I receive a return message o_O
     
  20. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

    Joined:
    May 9, 2005
    Posts:
    10,215
    Hello,

    If you have a Linux CD handy, boot then from console:

    Code:
    shred -vfz -n X /dev/hdX or /dev/sdX
    where x is the number of passes.

    Or

    Code:
    wipe /dev/hdX or /dev/sdX
    Where default is 4 and you can change it if you must ...

    Or

    Manually, repeat a few times if you must:

    Code:
    dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hdX or of=/dev/sdX
    Or

    Code:
    dd if=/dev/random of=/dev/hdX or of=/dev/sdX

    Make sure you don't wipe the wrong one ... oh-oh.

    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  21. TechOutsider

    TechOutsider Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Posts:
    549
    The hydralic press terminated a terminator.
     
  22. HURST

    HURST Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,419
    LOL, best comment so far :D :D


    Maybe put a .50 armor piercing bullet through it.

    EDIT: speaking of .50 and hard drives...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XosOy8sv1sI
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2009
  23. TechOutsider

    TechOutsider Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Posts:
    549
    Maybe a desert eagle. Just make sure it doesn't bounce back at you
     
  24. Warlockz

    Warlockz Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Posts:
    642
    They replied with they need the HardDrive to determine if they can get any data back Bla Bla Bla.

    "However, as this is a clear case of data overwriting using algorithm, I am not sure if we'll have success in this case. So, I advise you to call us at : 1-800-475-0143, dial option #2. "

    So basically theirs a possibility, but not likely available to civilians!

    Never know, might just be the government misleading people in 100s of threads so that people think they are safe using 1 pass, sure would make their jobs easier for them if everyone was so golable! Funny how all of the sudden data is impossible to recover after 1 pass, after reading so many articles that say otherwise in the past, sounds more like a matter of National Security to me!

    If I had something I really wanted to hide I would stick with a 7 wipe pass regardless of what people have to say on the net!

    I take it as another way of deception, like "PGP has a backdoor", wouldn't want people to continue using solid Encryption now would they?

    http://www.philzimmermann.com/EN/faq/faq.html

    I really don't have anything else to say in this matter, I guess its really your own choice on how secure you think you really are!

    But yes you can rely on the 1 pass if your just trying to stop software recovery tools, + its faster and easier on the HD if you know what I mean!
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2009
  25. Klaus_1250

    Klaus_1250 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2006
    Posts:
    45
    It CAN be recovered after a single pass, but not easily. You need serious soft- and hardware for that. The reason large number of multiple passes are used by governments and such is for protection against future recovery methods and the chance that there is someone a lot smarter than they imagined, which could recover it.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2009
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.