Whether you're selling your PC, giving it to someone else, or just getting rid of it to upgrade to something new, you need to secure your data. There's always the chance of unauthorised access to your private data and files, including personal information and photos. If you don't take steps to erase every piece of personal data from your computer, you could be putting yourself at risk for identity theft or worse! By following this guide on how to completely wipe a PC, you can make sure that your private data stays just that—private.
1. How To Completely Wipe a PC Without Destroying the Disk
Simply deleting the data on your data storage media doesn't make it completely inaccessible. You must wipe the data if you want the data to be irrecoverable. Formatting involves taking the headers and footers off of the file system, whereas wiping will not only do that but also fill up the entire space with meaningless bytes to overwrite any traces of the original content on the drive. You can use the PC's operating system disk utilities or third-party software tools.
Simply deleting the data on your data storage media doesn't make it completely inaccessible. You must wipe the data if you want the data to be irrecoverable.
Wiping With In-Built Disk Utilities
All versions of Windows OS on PCs include built-in utilities for completely wiping a hard drive. To use one of these utilities, open the Start menu and search for Disk Utility. For example, in Windows 10, Disk Utility is located under the System Tools heading.
Pros of wiping with built-in settings
it is relatively quick since
- the tools are free
Cons of wiping with built-in settings
lack of control over security settings
- inability to wipe individual files or folders
- inability to securely delete files from another operating system that may be stored on the same hard drive
- lack of thoroughness when it comes to removing data from old file systems like FAT32. Most of the files remain on the drive
Wiping With Third-Party Applications
Third-party applications are proprietary software developed by data handling specialists, with more capabilities than the freely available built-in utilities. As such they are far more effective as a data wiping tool.
Pros of wiping with certified data removal software
They can handle the complicated file structures of new storage technologies
- They have stronger proprietary technology with stronger deletion, wiping, and encryption features than those built into operating systems.
- They can be run in live mode, meaning you can wipe any data that is currently on your hard drive without having to install anything.
- They can also handle multiple disk formats (MBR or GPT) and partitions (MSDOS or GPT).
- They can also do specialized wipes like securely wiping USB devices or completely destroying hard drives through Secure Erase or Gutmann wipes.
Cons of wiping with certified data removal software
Requires additional steps of working with a certified vendor,
- They cost a purchase or subscription
However, the extensive skills and experience of services like SPW offer advantages that compensate for these disadvantages. These services have streamlined our processes and can remove data in bulk.
2. How Effective Is Hard Drive Eraser Software on Different Disks?
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Hard drive eraser software is very effective on different disks. It can erase all the data on a disk, including the operating system, files, and settings. The storage technology on older PCs is hard disk technology (HDD). Wiping data from these older drives is relatively straightforward.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
SSDs are newer technology, and have become popular for their fast speeds and lightweight. They are in most portable devices today including Macbooks, Chromebooks, Ultrabooks, and Windows tablets. To remove data from an SSD, you need special methods that don't simply involve having data overwritten. It requires erasure tools that can go into hidden and locked sectors. However, today's third-party erasure solutions have become much more reliable, efficient, and faster.
Removing data from SSDs require special methods that don't involve simply overwriting it. It requires erasure tools that can go into hidden and locked sectors.
3. How Does Drive Wipe Software Work?
How do these applications work? The erasure process involves writing over every sector of the disk with zeros or random data until there are no more sectors available. For example, when doing data wiping with Blancco, this is the recommended procedure:
- Back up anything you want to keep because the process is irreversible and your data will be lost forever
- Choose a specific data erasure standard. Your choice is based on your industry and organisation’s unique needs
- The instructions wizard is used to perform the data wipe
- The data wiping software will verify the overwriting methodology has been successful
- The task will produce a report showing the success rate and affected sectors of the device, standard used, and identity of the storage media
Today, data wiping standards follow NIST 800-88 guidelines which provide direction for clearing, sanitising, and purging electronic information.
4. How Often Can You Do Data Wiping Safely?
Data wiping is erasing data from a storage device so it can no longer be recovered. When done correctly, data wiping is a permanent and unrecoverable process. However, if not done correctly, data may still be recoverable.
Advanced forensic tools work by scanning the drive for residual traces of data. Depending on the software being used, these residual traces could include deleted files, unallocated clusters (the blank space between file fragments), or other information left behind, such as timestamps. When done properly, wiping will eliminate any possible trace of previous activity on the hard drive in question; this includes documents and emails stored locally or on network shares.
But how often can you wipe a drive or disk without physical damage? Data storage media is rewritable numerous times without affecting the physical integrity of the data storage media.
Data wiping is a key principle in information security and ensures compliance with data privacy laws.
5. Why Is Data Wiping Essential in Information Security?
Data wiping is a key principle in information security. Prudent observation of data wiping is important because hackers and other malicious actors can access your system and steal your data without it. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
Secure data wiping also ensures you are compliant with data privacy laws. These laws provide that businesses must delete personal data when it is no longer needed for its original purpose. In addition, organisations have requirements for how long they should retain certain types of information before deleting or destroying them.
Data wiping takes time and care but will keep your sensitive information secure from unauthorised eyes!
Conclusion
If you're looking for a comprehensive, reliable, and tamper-proof solution to securely erase all the data on your old computers - or any other type of storage device - it's recommended to use a certified data removal software service. SPW has years of experience in the industry and can help you deploy the right data wiping solution for your organisation. Contact us today to ensure your data storage media undergo data wiping that follows acceptable information security guidelines.
We Have Your Back
Our secure IT asset disposal services provides the dependable solution you need for your e-waste and end-of-life asset needs. Our team applies safe and sustainable steps that are regulatory-compliant at every stage of the process.
From the point of collection, auditing, shredding and/or wiping to remarketing and/or donating your IT assets, you can be sure with our end-to-end services that we take your security seriously.
We have coverage against the loss of or damage to your goods during transportation. This includes marine cargo shipment from the ports to the warehouses
Our professional team of asset removers ensure your devices are packed safely into our vehicles which are also equipped with GPS-tracking systems. We have armed our warehouses with fingerprint-only access complete with security alarms and 24/7 CCTVs in place
Our reach spans across the globe through our networks of partners and vendors. Wherever your business is based, you can leverage our worldwide network and we would be happy to assist you throughout your ITAD journey
SPW is Asia's go-to solutions provider for data destruction, data erasure, IT asset remarketing, and environmentally-responsible IT asset disposals. Contact us and learn how you can incorporate an ITAD strategy into your business today.
