secure pc hard drive for computer sale

Discussion in 'other security issues & news' started by damian666, Feb 10, 2008.

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  1. damian666

    damian666 Registered Member

    Joined:
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    Hi all
    can anyone advise me how to delete or remove banking and private data from my windows xp media center pc.The one problem i have is the os came pre-installed so no os cd.Any help would be great
    Thank you
    Damian
     
  2. HURST

    HURST Registered Member

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    I would say, delete all sensitive data, after that, erase all empty space with some secure erasing app.
    I use Heidi's Eraser, with 35-pass Guttmann algorithm.
    before doing that, I could recover 6000+ deleted files with 3 different recovery tools (recuva, restoration, undeleteplus). After erasing empty space, there where only 8 files, and all of them where full of zeros.
     
  3. Bubba

    Bubba Updates Team

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    Personally, I would donate the PC to goodwill without the hard drive. Regardless of what secure methods are used to remove all traces of my sensitive data, I would still not take the chance.

    That's just me,
    Bubba
     
  4. kC_

    kC_ Registered Member

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  5. damian666

    damian666 Registered Member

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    Sep 22, 2004
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    Hi
    Can you tell me if these programs above will leave my pre-installed xp os intact
    Thanks
     
  6. lucas1985

    lucas1985 Retired Moderator

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    Location:
    France, May 1968
    Both Active KillDisk and DBAN will wipe the contents of your hard drive.
     
  7. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

    Joined:
    May 9, 2005
    Posts:
    10,215
    Hello,
    I agree. Keep the hard disk in a box with old photos and junk.
    Mrk
     
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