The Only Sure Way to Destroy Data

The subject in question is secure deletion of data, i.e. removing data from your own drive intentionally for security reasons. This does not include mistakenly deleting some folders or formatting a partition.

 

Why?

 

The very act of saving data signifies that we want to use it again in future, and it has some value for us. However, we may also want to preserve the privacy of our data. This happens when you are planning to sell a drive, or thinking of shifting to another format, or you want to reuse a completely empty and cleaned drive. Resale is the greatest reason here, as you are about to put your drive on sale, and if the data is not completely wiped, a stranger may gleefully read your private mails or stare in wonder at your family photographs or access all your personal information the very next day.

 

Why will Disk Formatting not Help?

 

When we wish to delete a file, we usually click on it and delete from its location. It is still inside the computer though, and is visibly present in the recycle bin. It is, in fact, in its original location, only the address has been copied on to the recycle bin, which is why you can see it there. If you delete it from the recycle bin, you are unable to see it anymore, but it is still not gone. However, the File Allocation Table (FAT) address of the file has changed. In other words, its location in the computer has changed, but it is still around. If you need to restore it now, your OS will not be able to perform the duty, and you need to use a recovery software. This software will search through the contents of the disk, locate the file, and restore it to its original position, or any new position specified by you. Most good software will ask you to specify the location of your choice. In other words, the file can be preserved in ever so many ways even if you are certain it has been deleted. If you format the disk or partition, the recovery software will bring it back again. 

 

What can Happen?

 

We have the tendency of keeping all our important data inside our computers. This may include more than just emails. It may also be personal data, photographs, and information on one’s financial or work transactions. It is possible to get hold of your bank account number, credit card details (and help oneself with a bit of your assets), email id (spammers would love it), and everything from your address and phone number to  anything else about you. If you have an address book or mailing list, it’s even better. Such information in the wrong hands could be extremely dangerous, not just for you, but for your contacts, friends, family and clients.  In case of an office computer, the threat is multiplied much more, especially if it falls into the hands of a crafty and more techno-savvy rival.

 

What to Do?

 

The only way out is to delete the software securely. For this you may use a secure deletion software. These are available off-the-shelf in computer peripherals shops, and can also be downloaded or ordered for. These software will delete your data by rewriting over it continuously till the data is shredded to such an extent that it is unrecognisable. This works exactly like a paper shredder, tearing the data to so many tiny pieces that they cannot be pieced together any more. If you try to do the same thing at home by rewriting the file with another, it will not help since both files can very well be recovered. The software does it so many times that the pieces of the shredded file are scattered beyond recovery.

 

Other Ways

 

Sometimes, you may wish to destroy a disk to an extent where it can’t be recovered anymore for official security reasons. In that case, you can try to physically harm it by throwing it away from a rooftop while it is still rotating in the CPU, or submerging it, or burning it. If the data is of extremely important nature, all such methods may not prove foolproof.

  

 

 

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