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unionised
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernova
Seriously, hitting delete will do the job well enough for most people and,as I pointed out rather early on, the OP's requirements ("The best is that
wich leaves no traces") are impossible.
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macckone
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Hitting delete doesn't even delete the file. It sends it to the recycle
bin. And even emptying the recycle bin doesn't remove the data.
Overwriting with zeros is good enough for most purposes unless
the FBI (or some other agency with almost unlimited funds) wants you
for something really insidious. Some linux versions have their own
version of the recycle bin. Same advice applies overwrite with zeros.
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Fantasma4500
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ignore any above suggestion! the only way to possibly render a HD hard to get data out of is using a shaped charge with copper cone, preferably shot
vertically onto the HD, +2kg of suitable secondary such as methyl nitrate and AN etc
this is quite a business secret and its known to be the only way to delete information
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unionised
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Quote: Originally posted by macckone  |
Hitting delete doesn't even delete the file. It sends it to the recycle
bin. And even emptying the recycle bin doesn't remove the data.
Overwriting with zeros is good enough for most purposes unless
the FBI (or some other agency with almost unlimited funds) wants you
for something really insidious. Some linux versions have their own
version of the recycle bin. Same advice applies overwrite with zeros. |
Are you aware that the "most people" to whom I referred are not targets of the FBI?
Do you think that "most people" are in the habit of overwriting files (explicitly)?
Do you accept that nearly all of the time, they get away with this lack of security?
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zed
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Rendering unusable isn't the question. The question is..... "What is the best way to physically destroy a hard disk."
I assume the data herein must be finally and irrevocably destroyed. Simply F-Disking, ain't gonna cut it.
Many systems of erasure, leave data intact. Re-formating merely erases "chapter titles" so-to-speak.
Overwriting all data, should work to obscure original data, but I wouldn't bank on it.
No. If I were handling really sensitive data, I would damned sure destroy my hard-drives, when the situation called for it.
A muffle furnace might do a nice job of converting a hard drive to a puddle.
Find out what the US Military does with dicey hard drives. You can bet your ass, that they don't f-disk them, and sell them at the flea-market.
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macckone
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| Quote: Originally posted by unionised |
Are you aware that the "most people" to whom I referred are not targets of the FBI?
Do you think that "most people" are in the habit of overwriting files (explicitly)?
Do you accept that nearly all of the time, they get away with this lack of security?
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Most people should be concerned with vital data being left on
a hard drive when it is disposed of. Yet they ebay hard drives
with their credit card numbers, addresses, social security numbers,
etc. I accept that most people get away with it most of the time
but that doesn't mean the OP wants to use the delete key. In
fact it is quite clear that isn't the question. But rather the
effective destruction of data.
[Edited on 22-7-2014 by macckone]
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IrC
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Instead of 4 pages of answers just ask the experts:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/21/irs-seeks-he...
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" Richard Feynman
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Praxichys
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The best way is simple.
Store everything "sensitive" on a SD flash card. You can get 128GB cards. I keep all my chem books/pdfs on a 32GB microSD (They're about $15) which is
about the size of a thumb nail and about a millimeter thick. In an emergency the flash chip can be destroyed easily and discreetly with something as
simple as the flame from a lighter or a single hammer blow. It is also very easy to hide. You could even swallow it.
They usually plug right into laptops, but can be paired with a little USB card reader on a desktop PC. If you really wanted to get nutty about it, get
a little RadioShack project box, put the card reader inside it, and make a shielded switch on the top of the box that simultaneously disconnects the
computer and nukes the card with mains voltage or a photoflash capacitor.
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zed
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The above linked article, doesn't mention how these hard-drives should be destroyed. Just says the Federal Government has 3200 or so, that need to be
destroyed.
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IrC
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Neither does your post stating the obvious about my post answer the OP's question, this thread does not belong in chemistry in general, and 4 pages on
this subject is nauseating. A grinder, a torch, a hammer, thermite, small nuclear weapons; all will destroy hard drives. What else needs to be said.
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" Richard Feynman
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The Volatile Chemist
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I like the idea of swallowing the microSD. I'll have to get one 
And WHAT I'd do with 3200 Hard drives! (either make a GIANT shiny mirror out of the platters, or make a good ole Beowulf cluster )
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chornedsnorkack
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Unusable for what? High speed rotation in its original casing, sure. But specialized hardware, like a reading head following the bent platter at a low
speed?
| Quote: Originally posted by Hennig Brand |
If you are really paranoid though and feel that the government is willing to spend a huge amount of resources getting the secrets off your hard drive
I suggest taking the hard drive apart and taking a sandblaster or grinder to the platter(s). |
Sandblaster, probably.
Aluminum is passivated by concentrated sulphuric acid, and platinum and rhodium are passive, as are glass and ceramic.
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gdflp
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The NSA standard for deleting files is overwriting them 35 times. Nothing can be recovered after that.
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unionised
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Did it occur to you that the NSA have a clear interest in providing misleading information about this subject?
This thread is long and in many places silly (as much down to me as to anyone)
However there is a serious underlying point.
There are many places in the world where regularly visiting this site would be regarded by "the authorities" as subversive and sufficient grounds for
investigation.
Much as I like the idea of putting sensitive data on micro cards, I really don't think I can persuade my computer to do that with my web history and
all the associated "incriminating" files. It's just not fast enough (yet)
So the OP raises a couple of valid points.
How can I delete my files in such a way that they are really gone?
In that case the NSA's advice- overwrite them 35 times- will do the job, but will take a long time.
If the police are banging on your door you might stall them for a few seconds by saying you are in the bathroom, but that's not going to give you time
to remove the files totally.
If you are in a real hurry to "shred" the data then perhaps the best advice I could give would be to use a big hammer (because those are legal in
practically any jurisdiction).
And when the officers ask "Why did you just smash up your computer?" you tell them that it had crashed for the tenth time this week and you lost your
temper.
It won't help much- they can get the records from your ISP- but it might give you a chance if they think you are small fry and they have scarred you
off.
[Edited on 23-7-14 by unionised]
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Varmint
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The absolute method of hard drive data destruction:
Take the platter cover off, remove the screws that keep the "cap ring" in place over the platters.
Remove the top platter, hit both sides with a orbital sander with 60 or 80 grit sandpaper until there is obviously no coating left and you are into
bare base metal. Repeat the removal/sanding process for each platter.
Remove the circuit board and any copper or steel from the aluminum chassis, and throw the chassis in your aluminum recyle pile, along with the sanded
platters.
Last thing is the magnets. Want some insanely powerful magnets? Do a youtube search for how to remove them from the head actuator mechanism. Be
careful.
Once separated from their steel carriers, the magnets are quite fragile, and have enough power to smash together at sufficient velocity to cause
breakage. These are very near the top in terms of magnetic force achievable in solid materials, so it would be a shame to just toss them.
DAS
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Hennig Brand
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| Quote: Originally posted by chornedsnorkack |
Unusable for what? High speed rotation in its original casing, sure. But specialized hardware, like a reading head following the bent platter at a low
speed?
| Quote: Originally posted by Hennig Brand |
If you are really paranoid though and feel that the government is willing to spend a huge amount of resources getting the secrets off your hard drive
I suggest taking the hard drive apart and taking a sandblaster or grinder to the platter(s). |
Sandblaster, probably.
Aluminum is passivated by concentrated sulphuric acid, and platinum and rhodium are passive, as are glass and ceramic. |
Well you seem to be going right after me.
If the appropriate amount of HE was used I think it would do a hell of a lot more than just bend a platter. Have you actually tested this? I might
just for giggles. It is, however, not really the best method if you need to be sure that all data is destroyed.
Sulfuric acid sounds like a bad idea. Ok, well how about a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution, that should work better given the hard drive
materials of construction, but I doubt chemical methods are really the best alternative anyway.
Don't you think a grinder, or dremel tool with grinder attachment or belt sander could do a perfect job of removing the surface of the platter(s) and
destroying the data? It would seem to me that more people would have some kind of electrically powered grinding device or sander than would have a
sandblaster. 
[Edited on 25-7-2014 by Hennig Brand]
"A risk-free world is a very dull world, one from which we are apt to learn little of consequence." -Geerat Vermeij
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jock88
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I cannot believe this thread is as old as it is and only 4 pages long
Anyhow a question. Would a great big electromagnetic coil surrounding the hard drive erase/corrupt beyond retrieval, the data on the drive?
You could have a great big coil wound around the hard drive in the pc and at the appropriate moment (when the huns are barging in the door) discharge
a large pulse of current through the coil.
The metal (Al) of the 'platter box' might protect the platter. In that case purchase one of those drives that have a perspex cover on them.
What ya think?
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The Volatile Chemist
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| Quote: Originally posted by jock88 |
I cannot believe this thread is as old as it is and only 4 pages long
Anyhow a question. Would a great big electromagnetic coil surrounding the hard drive erase/corrupt beyond retrieval, the data on the drive?
You could have a great big coil wound around the hard drive in the pc and at the appropriate moment (when the huns are barging in the door) discharge
a large pulse of current through the coil.
The metal (Al) of the 'platter box' might protect the platter. In that case purchase one of those drives that have a perspex cover on them.
What ya think? |
Sounds Good! I don't know if it'd work though. Something like a coil gun, is that what you're talking about? W/ the coil 'round the HD?
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S.C. Wack
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Might an arc welder do bad things?
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macckone
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FYI at work we shred the drives.
It takes about 45 seconds per drive.
The company that does the shredding then
melts all of the fragments and sells the
residue to a precious/rare earth processor.
The shredder is like a high efficiency wood chipper
that produces flakes 1 to 2 mm across.
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The Volatile Chemist
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| Quote: Originally posted by macckone | FYI at work we shred the drives.
It takes about 45 seconds per drive.
The company that does the shredding then
melts all of the fragments and sells the
residue to a precious/rare earth processor.
The shredder is like a high efficiency wood chipper
that produces flakes 1 to 2 mm across. |
That's sweet How much does it cost?
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hyfalcon
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Plasma cutter would be even better.
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macckone
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| Quote: Originally posted by The Volatile Chemist | | Quote: Originally posted by macckone | FYI at work we shred the drives.
It takes about 45 seconds per drive.
The company that does the shredding then
melts all of the fragments and sells the
residue to a precious/rare earth processor.
The shredder is like a high efficiency wood chipper
that produces flakes 1 to 2 mm across. |
That's sweet How much does it cost? |
I am not involved in paying the bill so I have no idea.
My guess is that it is a few dollars per drive.
But we shred a lot of them so it is quite a bit.
They come out about every three months and
shred 100s if not 1000s of them.
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The Volatile Chemist
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I've been keeping some chemistry books on my camera's SD card Good safe place
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