Re: secure file deletion
From:Date: 07/13/02
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Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 11:05:22 -0700
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On Fri, 12 Jul 2002 10:10:44 +0200,
Kasper Dupont <kasperd@daimi.au.dk> wrote:
> Mark Gordon wrote:
>>
>> On Thu, 11 Jul 2002 17:52:24 +0100, Tim Haynes
>> <usenet@stirfried.vegetable.org.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >Mark Gordon <spamtrap@ruddygore.net> writes:
>> >
>> >>>* Simply delete the files to protect yourself
>> >>> from Joe Normal.
>> >>>
>> >>>* Overwrite the files/disk to protect yourself
>> >>> from someone with software knowledge.
>> >>>
>> >>>* Shred and burn the disk to protect yourself
>> >>> from someone with hardware knowledge and time+money.
>> >>
>> >> I've heard that at one point the official method of disposing of an HD
>> >> with classified information on it was to smash it to bits using a sledge
>> >> hammer.
>> >
>> >I used to have a `srm.c' lying around for this purpose.. Idea was that you
>> >write a bunch of 0s to the file, then frag it with binary 10101010 then
>> >binary 01010101 back and forth a couple of times, then write some random
>> >guff, then finally a load of 0s.
>> >
>> >I understand that those who attempt to recover data from HDs do so by
>> >looking at the edges of the tracks where the recording signal might be less
>> >strong or deviate slightly from central position, so while a blast of dd
>> >if=/dev/zero would be enough to nuke most of the centre of the tracks, the
>> >above should adversely affect the outsides as well. Probably not a
>> >completely 100% secure approach, but it should make recovery fairly
>> >expensive.
>> >
>> >Well, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it ;8)
>>
>> I've heard (from a *very* unreliable source) that there was government
>> approved software that did something like this to wipe HDs. However, I
>> prefer the hammer approach. It is much more fun (when someone else is
>> paying the bill).
>
> I think multiple overwrites is more secure than a sledge hammer.
> Of course if you are really paranoid you do both. Remember to
> overwrite before usinge the hammer, you will probably have a
> little difficulties getting the disk spinning after using the
> hammer.
>
> On what to overwrite with I'd say I expect the number of
> overwrites to be more important than the actual data being used.
> But still I guess random data is more secure than some fixed
> pattern. But of course the random data takes more time. I think
> Tims approach sounds like the most secure that can be done in a
> reasonable time.
>
> Finally I like being able to use the harddisk again (when
> nobody else is paying).
>
We used to remove the platters, and burn them with an oxy-acetelene
torch, when it's slag, it's unreadable. A bit extreme for some perhaps.
Smelly too.
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-- Jim Richardson Anarchist, pagan and proud of it http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock Linux, from watches to supercomputers, for grandmas and geeks.
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