For the uninitiated trying to get your head around what everyone is talking about reference the variety of ways to get rid of unwanted computer data can be a real “head” ache!
Here are a couple of terms explained which might help you –
1. Hard Drive Erasure means taking your hard drive out of your computer or laptop, and using a special machine to erase all the data from it.
2.Hard Drive Wipe means using some downloaded software to do things to your PC so that some or all of the software and files on it are overwritten with zeros i.e. wiped
Like many things in life there are advantages and disadvantages in both activities. Deciding whether you want a complete Hard Drive Erasure or just some files wiped probably depends on who you are and how secret the data on your hard drive is. And whether you want to use the Hard Drive again afterwards may also be a factor.
Check out the comparisons below to get you started:
Hard Drive Erasure
You take the Hard Drive out of your PC
v
Hard Drive Wipe
The Hard Drive stays in the PC
Hard Drive Erasure
You need access to a special machine
v
Hard Drive Wipe
You download some software
Hard Drive Erasure
Everything on the Hard drive is erased in seconds
v
Hard Drive Wipe
You have a lot of work to do figuring out how to operate the software especially if you want to leave some files intact – and its takes ages!
Hard Drive Erasure
That’s it! You’re done! It’s gone!
v
Hard Drive Wipe
The data is probably gone although you may have had issues with bad sectors, hidden virtual drives, your computer may have crashed during the process and other problems…………
Hard Drive Erasure
Now you can send your Hard Drive or computer anywhere for recycling and you know the bad guys cannot use it to steal your identity or your company secrets
v
Hard Drive Wipe
If it all went according to plan the bad guys probably cannot find your stuff but if they are really clever…………………?
Hard Drive Erasure
The “special machine” you need access to is called a Degausser and unless you have quite a number of drives to erase it is not a very cost effective option
v
Hard Drive Wipe
Compared with the cost of a Degausser software is more cost effective initially, but you need to factor in the time element
So in answer to our original question – Hard Drive Erase or Wipe – is there a difference? – I think you will agree that there is.
Assuming that you have very secret information on the hard drive you want to throw away or you want to recycle your computer, you will probably feel that degaussing (pronounced “deegowzing” where the “gow” rhymes with “cow”!) is the preferred solution.
VS Security Products have been manufacturing degaussers in the UK for more than 30 years. They have a range of units offering answers to the Hard Drive Erase question such as the models DataGauss, DataGone and SDD Master to name but a few. There is even a small unit suitable for low volumes, yet with the similar high spec erase, called the V660 Evo.
And finally, if you get fed up with waiting for your software to wipe your hard drive you could consider a more physical solution which just bends it up such as a Crunch 250 crusher!
For more information on how to Erase Hard Drives and protect your data, please contact us at [email protected]
