Yes, you can completely wipe a hard drive, but you'll need to do more than simply delete the files stored on it. Deleting files from a hard drive doesn't actually remove them — it just reassigns that space so new files can be added later on. To clean a drive completely, you need to actually erase the data.
After the hard drive repair fails, wiping a hard drive for reuse is the last good solution you can do. ☀ The files on the hard drive are obsolete and unimportant and you don't want to spend extra money on a new hard drive. At this time, you will consider wiping the hard drive for reuse.
Bottom line: Removing the hard drive/SSD (and the optical disc if there is one) from a PC will indeed completely remove all of your files from the machine.
For Windows 10, go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Then navigate to Update & Security, and find the Recovery menu. Next, select Reset this PC and choose Get Started. Follow the instructions to revert your computer to when it was first unboxed.
To recover data after factory reset Android, navigate to the "Backup and Restore" section under "Settings." Now, look for the "Restore" option, and choose the backup file you created before resetting your Android phone. Select the file and restore all of your data.
It's important to clear all computer data before selling your system. It's not enough just to clean your cache and delete your files, however. Even a standard wipe of your hard drive may not be enough. Forensic software is getting better all the time and can recover data even on a computer that has been cleared.
The most effective way to destroy a hard drive is to shred it. Similar to shredding documents and paper, shredding turns a hard drive into a million tiny pieces that can't be put back together again, therefore destroying and erasing the data forever.
You should always destroy hard drives or other electronic devices before recycling because there is no way to ensure that equipment sent for recycling will not be accessed by information thieves.
If you're selling your PC or storage drive, you need to wipe it. If you're planning to sell / gift your old PC or just the drive inside, you need to securely erase your SSD or hard drive so that the next person can't gain access to your files.
This process could take several minutes to several hours depending on how big the drive is and what method you choose.
Wiping a computer hard drive is different from shredding because it merely erases any stored information while keeping the physical hard drive intact. This is also different from moving documents to the trash or recycle bin because, even though the files are hidden from view, they remain on the device.
This document specified that rigid magnetic disks should be sanitized by writing some “character, its complement, and then a random character” (i.e., three overwriting passes) and is known as the “DoD 5220.22-M” standard.
The heat from the drill might even cause damage that permanently warps the drive. But as long as there are intact sections of hard drive platters, the data stored on those sections is still technically accessible.
The simplest method is simply to hammer a nail through the drive, which will shatter the disk. A 25mmx2. 5mm masonary nail is ideal - a larger nail will be harder to withdraw and therer will be a greater chance of shards escaping through the hole.
Myth #1: You can destroy a hard drive by putting it in water. Truth: Hard drives are pretty well sealed, so dunking it into water quickly will most likely not affect it at all.
A recent study found that many computer repair shops accessed customer data. Experts say nearly all of your data is vulnerable when technicians are working on your device. Make sure you encrypt your files when getting your phone or laptop repaired.
As such, there's good demand for used western digital hard drives. While most WD hard drives sell for ~$10 to $75, high capacity drives and WD SSDs go for higher. Selling a single Western Digital hard drive on eBay should be easy. With that said, large lots will be difficult to move.
Data loss: A factory reset erases all data on the device, including apps, files, and settings. This can be a problem if you haven't backed up your data beforehand. Device damage: If a factory reset is interrupted or not done correctly, it can potentially cause damage to the device or render it unusable.
Factory resets remove most viruses
Your smartphone will have a feature that allows you to revert the drivers and operating system to a similar or original state from when you bought the phone. Performing a hard reset will get rid of most viruses on your device because it wipes everything away.
Degaussing is the guaranteed form of hard drive erasure, as such; it serves as the standard method of data destruction. Using the right degausser will guarantee that your information is no longer retrievable. Degaussing is simply a demagnetizing process to erase a hard drive or tape.