Old or broken hard disks are usually on their way to a trashcan. But there may be someone that is interested in you broken computer equipment.
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The security of sensitive data on personal or company's computer is a hot topic and there is a good reason for that. The writers of malicious software no longer wants to destroy your computer, they want your data. Why would criminals (they are not "hackers", they're criminals) spend time, effort and knowledge just to erase your disk? It is simply stupid. What is not stupid is gaining access to sensitive data that can bring some money to "black pocket". That is the trend and while the most of individuals and companies have some sort of protection, like firewall, antivirus and antispam software, that is the brighter part of our story.
Then, we have attacks on company's servers via the internet and insiders that intentionally steal the sensitive data. However, there is one thing that lot of users are not aware of - a disposal of computer hardware. We know that hard disks won't work forever and it is normal to buy a new one or just faster and bigger model. The old one goes to the trashcan and that is precisely where the problem lies.
Despite the belief, formatting the hard disk won't destroy all data on it beyond recognition. If we put all the data in the trashcan they are still on the disk. "Empty trash" function will delete the information about the files, but they are still there. OK, says you, I'll format it. Good idea, but not good enough. The option of quick format just rewrites the directories and the data is left intact. Using simple recovery application it is easy to recover all documents.
The next step is to use "low level format". That will write zeros on the disk but that's not good enough. First, there can be some hidden sectors on the disk known as Host Protected Areas, so there still can be some data to recover. Second, due to spread of magnetic field on the disk plate it can be possible to recover the sensitive data. Basically, if the malicious person is interested in your data, he will do what it takes to recover your passwords, bank accounts, legal documents, business plans, your address... And he will do it.
So, what can you do? The Department of Defense of the USA (DoD) has set of rules for erasing the sensitive data and WiebeTech Company devised a device that erases the sensitive information. Drive eRazer (why the first letter must be in lowercase?) works with 2.5" or 3.5" IDE, PATA and SATA hard disks. The good thing is that it doesn't require a computer attached to it, it is a stand-alone device. The other good thing is its price - it starts at 99.99 dollars.
What it does? You connect the hard disk to WiebeTech Drive eRazer and it will, following the rules of DoD, erase all the bytes and bits on the disk. The basic model is single-pass, which means it will goes across the disk just once. The Pro model will make few passes. Both models will delete the data; partitions, Host Protected Areas and it will verify what has been done.
When it comes to company's data you must be sure that secret data stay secret. So, if you have a disk that is on its way to the trash can, connect it to eRazer and delete all data. ■
