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Let us have a look at the various methods which are employed to destroy the data and how safe they are.

 

Methods of Destroying Data

 

·          The primary method of deleting data used by most of the Microsoft Windows users is simply selecting the files or folders to be deleted and pressing the ‘Delete’ key as mentioned above. The data is then transferred to the ‘Recycle Bin’ from where it can later be deleted again. But, by this process, only the pointers (or the list of addresses of the locations where the data in the file is stored) to the particular files or folders are deleted and the data remains intact. Thus, the Operating System no longer knows that the data is present on the hard drive or any other data storage medium in use. Such data can easily be recovered by making use of the many data recovery software options that are available on the internet. Some of these software have free downloads as well.

·          Deleting partitions present on a particular hard drive removes the entries of the same from the partition table, thus making the data present in it inaccessible. But, this too does not delete the data itself and the same can be recovered by making use of specialised data recovery software. True, that some of the initial sectors of the partition will be deleted but not all of them.

·          Formatting the hard drive also brings about similar results.

 

The methods mentioned above are among the common ones employed to destroy the data and these, as seen, are not foolproof. Let us now look at some of the specialised methods that can truly destroy the data present on your hard drive.

 

·          Certain software is available in the market called as data wiping software. These not only delete the entry of the particular files from the file table but also overwrite the locations in which the data present in that particular file was stored. This overwriting of data may be performed several times by the software. Thus, if data recovery software is run, then the data that it will recover will not be the original one but rather the one that has been used to overwrite the original data.

·          In case of magnetic data storage media, the process of ‘degaussing’ can be used to be doubly sure that the data is indeed destroyed. In this process, the hard drives are subjected to a reverse magnetic field. Thus, the data present is scrambled and becomes unreadable. A degaussing machine is somewhat expensive and unaffordable for home users. But, certain companies can do the degaussing job for you for a small amount of money.

·          Certain individuals even resort to physically destroying their hard drives in order to destroy their data. However, this process is not recommendable as firstly, it destroys the hard drive itself; thus, you cannot resell it and secondly, the process is highly dangerous as there are chances that parts of the hard drive will fly off and injure your eyes etc. Hence, if one wishes to physically destroy the hard drive, he should take all the necessary precautions such as wrapping it in a towel, protecting his eyes with glasses etc. to ensure that he does not get injured. Attacking the hard drive with a sledge hammer or drilling holes through it or dismantling it and destroying the individual platters will destroy the data present in it.  

 

Why is it Necessary to Make the Data Irrecoverable?

 

Most of the times, the used hard drives that you sell would land up in pawn shops where they may be bought by other individuals who can gain access to the sensitive data such as Income Tax returns, credit card numbers, account statements etc. that may be present on your hard drive if the data on them has not been destroyed properly. To avoid such instances, destroying the data permanently is essential.

 

Most of the experts believe that overwriting the data by using wiping software is the best method of permanently deleting the data as it is comparatively inexpensive and does not physically harm the hard drive. So, next time when you sell your computer or replace a hard drive, remember to erase the data present on it.