Erasing A Back-Up Drive

Marrk · Marrk #1 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 02:00 PM

If I erase a back-up drive before selling it, can I be sure that the data on the drive is completely wiped out? Or should I assume that there is always a way for some smart guy to recover the data that was on there?

I wouldn't want to risk compromising identity-specific information.

Thanks.

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 02:13 PM

If you have that sort of info on it, do a 7 pass secure erase.

Marrk · Marrk #3 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

If you have that sort of info on it, do a 7 pass secure erase.

Will do.

What is a 7 pass secure erase and how do I do it? Off my Mac's hard drive? Boot up from the Installation disk and then do it?

Thanks.

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 04:07 PM

Just open Disk Utility for an external drive.

Yeah, it's going to take a long, long time.

Marrk · Marrk #5 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 04:51 PM

Got it.

They even have a 35 pass erase.

Thanks.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #6 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 05:06 PM

Yes however that is for former KGB and CIA agents ONLY.

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #7 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Yes however that is for former KGB and CIA agents ONLY.

Those disks would simply be physically destroyed and replaced (you should see drive shredders

)

bobtomay · bobtomay #8 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 05:34 PM

I got short changed on my MBA - max is only 7 pass.

Marrk · Marrk #9 (**permalink**)

10-15-2011, 05:40 PM

@dysfunction: You means like this:

A hard drive shredder is a mechanical device that physically destroys old hard drives in such a way that the data they contain cannot be recovered. At a minimum, this involves severing every track on every platter in a drive.

The data bits on a hard drive are not destroyed by formatting, or even by overwriting several times with other data. Specialized programs called hard drive shredding utilities overwrite data many times with "gibberish," but some engineers claim that the original data may be recoverable by a determined expert even after this process unless overwriting has taken place hundreds of times. Drilling holes in an old hard drive will not necessarily work, because some tracks are likely to remain unsevered unless hundreds of holes are drilled.

The most effective way to ensure complete data destruction on a defunct hard drive is to pulverize the assembly, in much the same way as a wood chipper disposes of tree limbs and brush. Environmental precautions must be taken when this is done, because the resulting particles can be toxic. Several companies offer hard drive shredding services for a fee, including secure pickup and transport, compliance with environmental regulations, and certification of data destruction. For the enterprise concerned about data theft, such a vendor may offer the best solution to the data destruction problem.

What is hard drive shredder? - Definition from Whatis.com

Marrk #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 24, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 164	10-15-2011, 02:00 PM If I erase a back-up drive before selling it, can I be sure that the data on the drive is completely wiped out? Or should I assume that there is always a way for some smart guy to recover the data that was on there? I wouldn't want to risk compromising identity-specific information. Thanks. MacBook Pro 13.3" 2.66 GHz OS 10.6.8
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,042 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	10-15-2011, 02:13 PM If you have that sort of info on it, do a 7 pass secure erase. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,042 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	10-15-2011, 04:07 PM Just open Disk Utility for an external drive. Yeah, it's going to take a long, long time. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

Marrk #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 24, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 164	10-15-2011, 04:51 PM Got it. They even have a 35 pass erase. Thanks. MacBook Pro 13.3" 2.66 GHz OS 10.6.8
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,265 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	10-15-2011, 05:06 PM Yes however that is for former KGB and CIA agents ONLY. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

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bobtomay #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,042 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	10-15-2011, 05:34 PM I got short changed on my MBA - max is only 7 pass. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

Marrk #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 24, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 164	10-15-2011, 05:40 PM @dysfunction: You means like this: A hard drive shredder is a mechanical device that physically destroys old hard drives in such a way that the data they contain cannot be recovered. At a minimum, this involves severing every track on every platter in a drive. The data bits on a hard drive are not destroyed by formatting, or even by overwriting several times with other data. Specialized programs called hard drive shredding utilities overwrite data many times with "gibberish," but some engineers claim that the original data may be recoverable by a determined expert even after this process unless overwriting has taken place hundreds of times. Drilling holes in an old hard drive will not necessarily work, because some tracks are likely to remain unsevered unless hundreds of holes are drilled. The most effective way to ensure complete data destruction on a defunct hard drive is to pulverize the assembly, in much the same way as a wood chipper disposes of tree limbs and brush. Environmental precautions must be taken when this is done, because the resulting particles can be toxic. Several companies offer hard drive shredding services for a fee, including secure pickup and transport, compliance with environmental regulations, and certification of data destruction. For the enterprise concerned about data theft, such a vendor may offer the best solution to the data destruction problem. What is hard drive shredder? - Definition from Whatis.com MacBook Pro 13.3" 2.66 GHz OS 10.6.8
	QUOTE Thanks

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