Removing All Data From A Drive
Every year, thousands of technicians expose themselves to a legal
nightmare when they dispose of a customer's old computer or hard
drive that still contains traces of personal information, including
credit card numbers, passwords, legal and financial documents, or
any other data that could be damaging or embarrassing in the wrong
hands.
Of course, most of us know enough to delete such information and
flush the recycle bin before the system leaves our possession. The
more conscientious will also do a Windows format, or even a factory-style
low-level format, but all of these procedures only hide the data
from the operating system and will still leave a magnetic trace
of the old data that can be recovered with the right software and
equipment.
The only way to effectively hide data on a hard drive is to over-write
it multiple times. With each pass the trace becomes weaker, until
it can no longer be recovered with even the most sophisticated equipment.
Certain government agencies require over-writing seven times, together
with a low-level format, before the drive is considered sterilized.
This same standard should be followed by local law enforcement and
most financial and medical institutions, but usually isn't.
Micro-Scope users who have upgraded to Version 11 know about the
Secure Wipe feature that meets the most stringent government standards.
Users of older versions of Micro-Scope can achieve the same result
by doing a Hard Disk Write Test several times, followed by a low-level
format. If you don't have Micro-Scope, most hard drive manufacturers
provide a low-level format utility for their particular brand of
drive, which can be combined with any of several low-cost products
for over-writing a drive. It's a bit tedious, but definitely possible.
To make it even easier, Micro 2000 is developing a new product called
EraserDisk that is basically a stand-alone combination of the Secure
Wipe and Low Level Format utilities found in Micro-Scope 11, plus
an analysis tool to make sure the drive is really spotless. It's
due to be released this month and will sell for a very affordable
$39.95. Contact the Micro 2000 Sales Dept. for quantity pricing,
delivery information, etc.
All things considered, there's really no excuse for letting go of
a drive that hasn't been sterilized. And if this seems like overkill,
be aware that there are sophisticated criminals scouring the recycling
centers, thrift stores and computer fairs looking for old drives
either in or out of systems, just so they can recover data to use
for identity theft, blackmail and other unsavory activities. Don't
let it happen to you, or your customers!
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tech.com
