Are Hard Drive Wipe and Erasers Really Credible?

Question

I saw an ad on the Internet for a program that claims to wipe and erase all files by overwriting them. I have several computers and want to donate them but even though I have reformatted the hard drives, I know that my personal information could still be recovered. If I run a wipe and erase, what are the chances of someone being able to recover any of the information?

Answer 1

It's possible to delete information from your drives to the point where it would make it economically unfeasable to try to extract anything that remains. The best way is to write zeros and ones to the drive (they have freeware apps that will do this, or trial apps), and then alternately write ones and zeros, and etc., etc. You can do it many times to help ensure that your data can't be extracted unless some high-tech spy agency (CIA, FBI) really really wants to. The best thing to do is to remove the drives and pulverize them with a ballpeen hammer until they are non-recognizable. Let the people to whom you've donated worry about obtaining another drive--they would understand that!

Answer 2

If you run something like Duke's Nuke and Boot or Autoclave with several passes that should be secure enough to donate them. I doubt it's going to keep you safe from the FBI or NSA but it will erase your hard drive enough to stop any half assed information theif.

Answer 3

Yes. You do need to erase and wipe them all before give to someone.
There is a free demo version of the eraser.

http://www.ontrack.com/dataeraser/

You can erase the entire drive with this free demo tool.


 

Answer 4

i have a sight called KILLDISK.COM just download to a floppy and follow the prompts as far as making it totally safe that i don't knowbut it was free and i wanted to wipe out everything

Answer 5

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/