How to Destroy a Hard Drive

If you are getting a new hard drive then you will need to dispose of your old one. Your personal data is stored on it, so it is important to make sure no one can get a hold of this data. This site will provide information on how to destroy your hard drive.

What Are You Looking For?

Erase Your Hard Drive Data

Deleting is Not Enough

Simply deleting your files and then emptying the recycle bin is not going to permanently delete your data. Your files can be recovered quite easily and then used against you. Personal photos, credit card number, and financial data can all be accessed if you are not careful.

WipeDrive 6 Completely Erases Data

Luckily, there is some software available to completely erase your hard drive for good. Even if you are planning on physically destroying your drive, it is a good idea to erase the data. You can never be too sure, and peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

The best software to get is called WipeDrive 6. This software will permanently erase operating systems, program files and all other data from your computer. It is approved by the U.S Department of Defense. Plus, it can erase camera memory cards, USB drives, cell phones and iPods.

Check out more details for WipeDrive 6

Ways To Destroy Your Hard Drive

Hard Drive Destruction Kit

You can get an all in one hard drive destruct kit call the DiskStroyer. This will have everything you need to completely erase and destroy your hard drive from home in less than 10 minutes. It comes with all the tools you need and a handy step by step manual.

Click here to find out more about DiskStroyer

If buying a whole disk destruction kit is not for you, here are some other methods for destroying your hard drive at home:

Sand Paper

The most effective physical way to destroy data on your hard drive is to use sand paper. Get a smaller screwdriver and open up the drive. Then scrub the sand paper back and forth across the platters. This is the best method of making sure all the data is destroyed.

Hammer

Taking a hammer to a hard drive is another good way to destroy it. It can also be liberating and fun. The most important thing to remember when hammering a hard drive is that it needs to be completely obliterated so no data can be recovered. Use all of your strength and take full swings with the hammer.

Magnet

A magnet is a hard drive’s worst enemy. Running a magnet over it will corrupt all of the data on the drive. You must use a high powered magnet, like a neodymium magnet. To be on the safe side, use the hammer or sand paper method when finished. You can never be too sure with your personal data.

Soaking

Water is never good for computer components. Soaking the hard drive in water will surely mess it up to the point where data will be difficult to retrieve. Just to be sure of its demise, you can add bleach to the concoction. Fill your bathtub with water and dump a gallon of bleach in the water. Soak the hard drive for an hour.

Burning

Hard drives go great with hamburgers and hot dogs. If you are looking for a creative way to destroy your hard drive, you can trying throwing it on the grill next time you have a barbecue. The heat should melt all the critical components, and data will not be able to be recovered.

Why You Need to Destroy Your Old Hard Drives

Identity Theft

Identity theft is something that most people do not expect to happen to them, until it does. Luckily, it is easy to prevent if you just follow some simple precautions . This article will explain how thieves can get your personal data and use it against you.

What Can Happen

Those who want to steal your identity can do so from looking at your old hard drive. Once they get your information they can use it to open credit cards in your name, run up bills in your name, and even pretend to be you. This can be devastating, as you can end up thousands in debt. You may even be charged with crimes like fraud committed under your name, which you will never know about, until it is too late. Once your identity is stolen it can take years to be fixed, although it is extremely likely that your credit will never be the same.

What’s on Your Hard Drive

Your hard drive holds everything that you have ever typed into the computer. For example, your password, credit card numbers, and even your social security numbers can be saved on your hard drive. If you run an online business, all of your accounts and information can be taken over. Even if you delete the files, they can still easily be recovered and accessed. Those who are serious about stealing someone’s identity would most likely purchase expensive software to access your drive, even after you have reformatted. Nothing is ever permanently deleted from your hard drive. Your data will always leave a foot print that can be tracked. Which is why you should destroy your hard drive.