Securely erasing data from hard drives and other media

[Bligh]

I like Daves tool above, but if you want to re-use the drive, it doesn't work well.
Cheers

[pemasu]

Dave_G method is good one. I used it when I removed hdd`s from about 30 comps before they went to some recycling site.

It didnt take long, before the metal disk inside was something else as circular, flat plate. The covers dont protect from sledgehammer. And the job was done in 15 minutes. I can recommend. The pins were smashed all together also.

And you dont recognize the hdd as hdd after hammering.... instantly.
Security by obscurity....great disguise.

[PANZERKOPF]

Too complicated.
Below is the tool I use.
Works every time.
Dave.

Big hammer is universal tool for solving any problem.
About erasing:
Modern HDDs have internal functions for erasing itself.
If we lock a HDD with user password then unlock it with master password,
all data will be sequentially erased. This is fastest way for erasing (in theory).

[Flash]

But a sledgehammer also destroys those wonderfully strong magnets inside.

[pemasu]

That is true. I once got so strong one, that when I used it in our refrigerator door, it was impossible to get it off straight. Only way was to slide it to the edge or use the paper under it for swerving.

[Sylvander]

Small strong magnets are very useful for finding plasterboard nails in stud-partition walls.

[Dave_G]

Those same small magnets are also great for finding needles in haystacks

Seriously though, you are of course right Flash, mechanical shock and magnets don't mix.

The hammer method is good if you no longer want/need a hard drive and want
to make sure that the data on it is not retrievable before disposing of it.
On the other hand if you want to reuse it (for yourself) a simply format will suffice.

By the way, those strong little magnets are made from Neodymium.
Here is an interesting link on how to get them and other uses for them.
http://www.dansdata.com/magnets.htm

Dave.