Fastest way to erase data,that cannot be recovered?

[pranav81]

Hi guys.

What is the fastest way to erase the data on a HDD?I know that there are some softwares that erase data completely.But using them on a 40GB HDD will take a long time.
Will deleting the partitions and recreating them,delete the data for good?


::Pranav::

[stix]

I suggest you low-level format the drive. This essentially writes zeros to the whole drive. Most drive manufacturers have utilities for doing this, available on their websites. another way would be to write something else to the whole drive. And there are "shredder" utilities.

What brand of drive do you have?

I don't think deleting and recreating partitions does the job. there may still be recoverable data on the drive.

[pranav81]

The low-level format takes a lot of time.The drive is a Samsung.There is a utility for lowe level format,but it takes a lot of time.The shredder utilities also take a long time to operate on the whole 40 GB drive.I am thinking of unallocating the partitions through PartitionMagic.When the partitions are recreated again,of different sizes,the data should be unrecoverable by normal methods.



::Pranav::

[stix]

I have low-level formatted a 40 and a 60 GB drive. It takes an hour or so. No big deal.

It is worth it to wipe the drive completely. I consider it the only way to securely erase everything.

I'm outa here.

[pranav81]

Time required for the low level format depnds on the size of the HDD.I have formatted many HDD's before this,and I can say that no low level format completes within an hour.

Anyways,thanks for the suggestion.


::Pranav::

[dodecahedron]

just repartitioning etc. won't "make the data go away".
it's still there, accessible to someone with the right know-how and tools.

if your really want the data gone, you'd better low-lever format or "shred".

[pranav81]

I think there is no fast way to erase the HDD,other than to zero write it or use shredding tools.

Thanks for the information guys.


::Pranav::

[Intimidator]

Check out this FREE program:

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

This is highly recommended by the security guru's out there.

WARNING: Low-level formating is not always a secure or safe method of deleting information.

Also remembr there is no such thing as security only an opportunity to compromise that security.

It all depends WHO wants your info and HOW MUCH they are willing to spend to recover that info.

[pranav81]

Thanks for the link Intimidator.

I will check it rightaway.


::Pranav::

[Intimidator]

Let me know how it works out for you.

[pranav81]

I downloaded the utility,but low level formatted the HDD.I will use it next time when I face a similar situation.

Thanks for the link.


::Pranav::