Advice on wiping HDD's for a Charity so they can be resold?

[GigaGTX970]

I haven't really needed to wipe Hard Drives in a long time, back then I used DBAN. Have things changed in recent years? What's the best software for wiping potentially sensitive Data? I've done some research and BitRaser and Blancco seem viable options. What would you guys recommend?

 

[kindai]

Just zero write the drive. Fill it with junk and re-format after if you really want to be sure.

 

[Semple]

Encrypting and reformatting is your best bet.

 

[TeraVirus]

I've used CCleaner and done 7-wipe clean on drives that I have sold. Recuva could not find anything to restore after deep scans.

 

[AyeAyeAhoy!]

As above, CC Cleaner should do it. Alternatively, If you have a Mac to hand, Disk Utility can do multiple passes zero'ing the drive

 

[GigaGTX970]

Thanks guys! I personally us EaseUS Partion Master as I can wipe multiple drives at the same time and I like the UI and other functions within the Application. So am I right in assuming that most software with a 5 pass or above is sufficient? I heard that any more than this is putting undue stress on the HDD.

Is there an Industry Standard for wiping Data? I'd love to hear from people who do this as part of their Job.

Thanks

 

[FreeStream]

Two runs for me, one zeroing one random data.

Never been able to get even a sniff of anything back using common tools online!

 

[AyeAyeAhoy!]

If you do this professionally then you'll use a machine with a big magnet in it. Pass the drive through, it's erased. We used to have one for wiping tapes with.

http://degausser.com/hard-drive-erasers/

 

[APM]

DBAN for me or Parted Magic.

 

[GigaGTX970]

http://degausser.com/hard-drive-erasers/

There's so many rules and regulations when it comes to wiping Data. Certain customers want their Data handled in different ways. One want us to use Blancco. At £23.33 per License to wipe one Drive is insane. We are supposed to get accredited certification to ISO 27001 as well which is costly. Then there are new laws coming into affect in May, GDPR. Lots of research to be done!

 

[d_brennen]

There's so many rules and regulations when it comes to wiping Data. Certain customers want their Data handled in different ways. One want us to use Blancco. At £23.33 per License to wipe one Drive is insane. We are supposed to get accredited certification to ISO 27001 as well which is costly. Then there are new laws coming into affect in May, GDPR. Lots of research to be done!

I've used Blancco professionally in the past. Top package, Blanccco server PXE boot, full reporting etc. Was nowhere near £23 a drive, but we were doing 1000+ machines per month, many servers with multiple drives and the like.

I would personally use DBAN, that's what it is for. If they are expecting certification and accountability then advise it's probably not the best field for a charity to be dabbling in

 

[dimension99]

You can also use the cipher command in windows which can securely erase a drive using three passes, write 0's then 1's then random.

https://www.computerhope.com/cipher.htm

 

[Skiddley]

ISE is quite neat if your drive supports it.

 

[PiKe]

DBAN.

 

[Glanza]

DBAN has been my goto for many years.

 

[GigaGTX970]

You can also use the cipher command in windows which can securely erase a drive using three passes, write 0's then 1's then random.

https://www.computerhope.com/cipher.htm

Thanks! I knew about Diskpart, never played around with Cipher before.

What are peoples thoughts on EaseUS Partition Master? I like how easy it is to use and the many features it has.

 

[Nugsy88]

I've used DBAN before, did the job.

 

[C-Roy]

I've used cleaner, killdisk and hdtune in the past. All did the trick.

 

[mattyg]

Check for bitcoin wallets first...

Didn't someone post a while back that a girl he knew at work died and her parents gave her PC to charity.....with a couple hundred BTC in a wallet

 

[Chugz]

gave her PC to charity.....with a couple hundred BTC in a wallet

The irony is lost on me.