Find Out What is Wrong With Your Data Sanitization Method
Summary: In this blog, we focus on the general data sanitization methods that people use and their drawbacks. Also, we share the best solution, such as BitRaser File Eraser, which can help you get rid of your confidential data securely without leaving any scope of data recovery.
At some point in time, you may require selling your old computer or discard it altogether. This process usually involves the risk of exposing your confidential information to outsiders or more particularly identity thieves. In order to avoid such disasters, many people tend to follow some untrustworthy measures to get rid of the sensitive and personal data stored on their used hard drives. This unsafe disposal of information could result in revealing your credit card secrets, business assets, and much more.
Some of the common mistakes done to dispose of sensitive data on used storage media devices are given below:
File Deletion
This is much similar to removing the index page from your book. The pages will not be visible to you now (due to index deletion), but they are actually present well intact within your book and can be used to retrieve information as before. Likewise, when you delete a file from your system, its entry in the file allocation table (or Master File Table) is deleted. The contents of the file remain intact on the drive until the space occupied is overwritten by new data.
Reformatting Disk or Deleting Disk Partitions
Reformatting is a means of rebuilding the file system from scratch, i.e. the file allocation table will be recreated. Further, if you delete some partitions, the data on other partitions would be still intact. In either of these cases, you do not perform a safe disposal.
Data Encryption
It is way better than the above methods of data sanitization. However, any type of encryption can be broken by cracking the password or encryption key.
In order to securely dispose of computers and other storage devices, you should use file eraser software. This software completely destroys the sensitive data stored on your hard drive using multiple-pass wipe algorithms. With the help of these utilities, you can wipe off every piece of confidential information, including entire drives, free space, system activity, application traces, etc.
Earlier we are only formatting our hard drive before selling to the local dealer. Being a reputed school in the city, we are always on the target of malicious people who are looking for complete database. We really want to Thank BitRaser team for developing this wizard utility.
Hello Brian Smith,
Thanks for trusting and using our software. We also request you to follow us on Twitter for more updates and offers.
Being working in a very sensitive data, for gathering information to various Government ministries. Every year we need to physically destroy our storage devices due to fear of data leakage. Last month, attended a Cybersecurity conference, where we get to know about secure and reliable data erasure software. This certified data erasure software saves lots of our hard earned money.
Hello Casey,
Thanks for your feedback.
We hope you enjoyed the software working.
Why physical Destruction is not recommended (by experts) over Data Erasure method?
Hello Jack,
Third Party Data Erasure software is always recommended over Physical Destruction due to:
1) No E-waste is left behind after data erasing process.
2) Complete assurance of each and every bit of data removal permanently, since the algorithm completely overwrites the data.
3) No Certification available in case of physical destruction.
Even, we strongly recommend using DIY data erasure software like BitRaser.
Can I erase multiple hard drives using Stellar’s BitRaser software?
Hello Martha,
Yes, you can erase up to 32 HDD using BitRaser software.
Bitraser is a nice tool for the overall cleaning of your hard drive. A Huge amount of free space is optimized from my wd 1 TB hard drive.
Hello Merry,
Yes, it was true. You will feel like working with a new drive after cleaning all your old data.
Data sanitizing is a very trending topic and how well individuals perform is an important concern. Due to lack of education, people still using old and outdated data deleting methods. It is very important to understand the difference between data erasing and data deletion.
Hi Samuel,
Yes, the software-based approach is the permanent solution to completely destroy sensitive data.
Thanks for highlighting this topic. In the case of my official data, I always erase with data wiping software and after that hammered with a powerful sledgehammer.
Nice that you properly dispose of your IT assets. But overwriting data with 3 passes by data erasing software is sufficient for complete data removal.