When trashing a computer, is there software I should use to erase all the data?

19. Dec, 2010 3 Comments

Question by glbrown78: When trashing a computer, is there software I should use to erase all the data?
We’re recycling our old computer at our town dump. In order to scrub or erase everything before we dump it, is there any software we should run?

Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Python
I recommend Darik’s Boot and Nuke.Darik’s Boot and Nuke (“DBAN”) is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.

Please note: It is possible (though extremely unlikely) to recover data even if it has been erased and written over many times. The only true way to ensure data is never recovered is to physically destroy the drive.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

http://www.killdisk.com/

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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3 Responses to “When trashing a computer, is there software I should use to erase all the data?”

  1. worthy 19. Dec, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    smash it.

  2. adsutter 19. Dec, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    you could always use windows to reformat the the drive.

  3. Deep D 19. Dec, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    If your computers are “Desktops” then
    ..open the cabinet
    ..remove the battery of the Motherboard
    ..keep it out for 60 seconds and
    ..put it back
    ..close the cabinet
    OK ! so u’ v just “RESET”-ed your Hard-Disk and its gone back to the factory default settings, Just like a new one. Now you can dispose it without any risk, of information leak.