Destroy/Remove data from data carriers

A simple DD to overwrite a drive with a pattern. You can do this multiple times if you like. The great zero challenge is still open here . Physically destroy - a hammer is probably the cheapest method followed by burning if you're ultra paranoid.

Ronan

A simple DD to overwrite a drive with a pattern. You can do this multiple times if you like. The great zero challenge is still open here . Physically destroy - a hammer is probably the cheapest method followed by burning if you're ultra paranoid.

Ronan

Well it's not that I'm paranoid, I'm just interrested in what professional methodes are out their. Just assume I have the most value data and I want to get rid of it with 0.0000000000% chance to recover )

0.0000000000% chance to recover )

Nothings every 100% certain apart from taxes and death -)

And England players giving away stupid penalties….
(still fuming about the rugby) )

I took a hard drive with our standard XP image and put a file in the root directory to search for. I then wiped the drive with Killdisk using one wipe of zeros and then imgaged the drive into EO1 files and searched it with FTK and found nothing. Not one single file was available from regular space or slack space. This is the lowest level of wipe they offer and it is sufficient. All it takes is for the file to be overwritten once and it is gone for good unless you want to send it to the NSA or spend $1000 to have the platters pulled out and analyzed.

I'm looking for proofed technique's which can be used to clear out any data on data carriers.

What you are looking for is a way to decide who and what you are able to trust. You also want to put a price-tag on it what are you prepared to pay to get the job done … or to feel certain that the data is gone, which is not really any practical difference. You might also want to put a timeframe on it if a recovery is even remotely possible, it must not be possible to do within X years.

For an ATAPI drive, I'd say use the secure disk erase, as that command is designed to erase *all* user-related information on the drive. That includes all remapped sectors – which a plain write will leave untouched, and so will remain behind to be picked up by anyone with the appropriate know-how. It also means including other user data areas, in configuration areas or flash memory or whatever the disk actually holds – and which only maker-specific commands will erase for you. (For one implementation of this, see the CMRR - Secure Erase web page.

But even so … you have to factor in the likelihood of bugs in the implementation of the command. Personally, I think the likelihood is far above the odds you hope to reach.

I'd erase the disk, then then destroy it physically, and even then I'd keep the remains in a locked safe for the necessary period of time.

All it takes is for the file to be overwritten once and it is gone for good unless you want to send it to the NSA or spend $1000 to have the platters pulled out and analyzed.

Please give me the address of someone who will get useful data off a wiped disk for just $1000. )

All it takes is for the file to be overwritten once and it is gone for good unless you want to send it to the NSA or spend $1000 to have the platters pulled out and analyzed.

Please give me the address of someone who will get useful data off a wiped disk for just $1000. )

Its says $1000 to be analyzed not recover anything yet ) And thanks guys for your help