I need to make sure that even a guy that builds computers can't access any of my files, pages etc they must not be able to get anything what do i do:????
2007-01-06 04:42:31 · 7 answers · asked by Rosemary 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
I am so sorry that I left out some pretty important info, some of you did pick up on it tho I don't have access to the old one, thats not the only stupid thing i did when i left there believe me! I guess I was thinking along the lines of wondereing if I can secure the comp i do have so that even if they could get to some of my stuff they couldn't get thru the security wall. you know like the wall i bang my head against every day at least once. so i am reaching again please i hope it is ok
2007-01-06 06:57:14 · update #1
Remove the HDD. Memory Modules, get all of your saftey gear on and smash them into little pieces. On the HDD you can remove the Platter/disks and you do not have to actually destroy the case. Then remove the CMOS battery, and take all to a certified Recycleing outfit.
Now the trick, take 1/3rd of the parts and pieces to that place every week for 2 weeks, the other week you dont need because you tossed that in a dumpster on the way.
2007-01-06 04:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get back the one that you left! That's the ONLY way you're going to guarantee that nothing can be recovered.
If you have to leave it behind, replace the hard drive with a new one and reinstall Windows and any necessary apps. Keep your old hard drive or destroy it with a hammer. (This isn't a joke, it's now the US government protects classified information that was stored on computers.)
The only guaranteed way to prevent disclosure is complete and total destruction of the physical media it was stored on.
Addendum: There is NO need to destroy the memory chips. They can't store data once the machine is turned off. Even the US government doesn't require this when "sanitizing" a machine that carried Top Secret information.
The DOD wipe method mentioned by a few posters is only approved by the DOD for sanitizing hard drives that held unclassified information. If the information was classified CONFIDENTIAL or above, physical destruction of the media (hard drive) is mandatory. Recovering information from a drive that has been DOD wiped is possible but is expensive and time consuming. It's adequate for the average user but if you're truly paranoid, smash the drive with a sledge hammer.
2007-01-06 05:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Download Darik's Boot and Nuke (dban.sourceforge.net) and burn it to a CD. Boot the computer you want wiped from the CD and type 'autonuke'. It will securely destroy any data on any drives on that machine, so make absolutely sure there's nothing connected to it that you want. It will take a long time because it's doing a DOD-type wipe. Only the world's top experts would be able to recover anything. The only thing more secure is to physically destroy the hard drive.
2007-01-06 04:52:51 · answer #3 · answered by Fix My PC Mike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally you can just reformat your hard drive to erase the dsts on the disk(s). However, there are methods to recover info from a reformatted hard drive. If you really want to wipe your hard drive clean, you can use this free utility.
http://dban.sourceforge.net/
It uses several advanced wipe methods including one used by the Department of Defense. You just install the program on a floppy disk, keep the disk in the drive, and reboot your machine. The disks will be overwritten several times (or more if you choose, but that takes a LONG time) with random data making it impossible to recover any data off the disk. More detailed info/directions can be found on the website.
2007-01-06 04:59:00 · answer #4 · answered by asyland 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't be too hard on yourself....we all have once in our life have done something just as dumb.....a computer guru in Greece sent me a program he called bcwipe......run it 3 times and then reboot..it writes over anything and would take FBI special programs to get into even if then......
2007-01-06 10:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by Gypsygrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you alread left one, its too late. In the future, download and create the free 'ultimate boot cd' from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com and use one of their utilities to completely erase a drive.
2007-01-06 04:53:12 · answer #6 · answered by orlandobillybob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell scotty to beam you back so you can take care of it.
WTF are you asking?
2007-01-06 05:05:16 · answer #7 · answered by ninesunz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋