Hard drive destruction the only way to guarantee identity protection

by Stevie Smith - Jan 8 2009, 13:00

While most computer users believe wiping the hard drive of a computer they intend to scrap or sell is sufficient to ensure personal data has been properly disposed of, Which? Computing magazine suggests we all get a little more physical.

That should do it. Image: jon_a_ross/Flickr.

Specifically, the computer publication offers that once a user is ready to ditch their old system, they’d be wise to remove its hard drive and pummel it with a sledgehammer or repeatedly turn a drill through it.And why? A recent study conducted by the magazine, which focused on eight used computers purchased from online auction site eBay, revealed a total of 22,000 data files that the prior owners thought they had successfully deleted prior to sale.On the strength of those figures, consumers should be prepared to go the extra mile in terms of actual destruction, not least because tech-savvy criminals are keen on purchasing such second-hand computers before then striving to steal identity data from their supposedly wiped drive(s). In offering its advice to general consumers, Which? Computing notes that while there are several software solutions available for definitively wiping hard drives, physically destroying hardware is a thoroughly dependable alternative.According to Which? Computing editor Sarah Kidner, the massive spread of online activities such as shopping, social networking and content sharing means that today’s computers contain a massive amount of personal data, which translates into “a hefty payday” for thieves lucky enough to recover it. “It sounds extreme,” said Kidner regarding the physical destruction of computer hardware, “but the only way to be 100% safe is to smash your hard drive into smithereens.” Of course, should you decide to repeatedly slam a sledgehammer into your disconnected hard drive, bear in mind that any resulting bits and pieces likely contain materials harmful to the environment – all of which should be properly recycled.

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EnvironmentalistFeb 12th, 2009 - 14:52:53

This suggestion is ludicrous. Software based solutions which wipe the hard drives are more than sufficient. All this is doing is adding more tech trash to the landfills, and denying users the rights to resell their equipment.

I can see where the article comes from, as the average user things once something has gone to the recycle bin it's gone. All this does is delete the information about where the file is stored while the data is fully intact unless written over.

To wipe a drive completely, consider Boot and Nuke (www.dban.org) which will provide a complete overwrite of a drive.

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Hard drive destruction the only way to guarantee identity protection

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