Full and Complete Data Wipe

[Heksmeester]

Good Day All,

I would like to sell my old Laptop but before doing so, I need to make 100% sure that absolutely no data recovery would be possible by the new owner.

Can you recommend any software (Preferably Freeware) that will be able to perform a complete data wipe on the hard drive so that it would be impossible to obtain any data fragments from it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DA-LION-619]

Use Hiren's Boot CD and do a low level format.

 

[Compton_effect]

I've often wondered about this type of scenario.
I asked the same question to a friend of mine who is a Researcher specializing in CyberCrime and Digital Forensics.
He is a senior lecturer at one of our universities, has participated in various Information Security Bodies, both local and International. He has advised international Law Enforcement Organisations, Including US, European and Chinese.

I'm completely serious here.
His answer to completely wiping a hard drive and ensuring that no information can be retrieved - Take a hammer to it.

 

[Nuro]

I have been using DBAN for years, just get the free opensource version.
https://dban.org/

That being said, probably nobody cares, even if they do, they don't have the resources to recover the data. It's possible yes, just not economical. Running DBAN will do the job.

 

[[email protected]]

Dip your hardware in some thinners - that will keep it clean

 

[infscrtyrisk]

I have been using DBAN for years, just get the free opensource version.
https://dban.org/

That being said, probably nobody cares, even if they do, they don't have the resources to recover the data. It's possible yes, just not economical. Running DBAN will do the job.

+1 for DBAN, single pass PRD, 3x if you're paranoid.
The old argument that data can still be lifted after 32+ passes is confined to ancient tech (MTM and RLL drives with (well worn) stepper motor actuators).

 

[JerryMungo]

It needn't be so complicated.

1) Reformat and install the OS again
2) Install CCleaner and use the 'wipe free space' option.

 

[Willy Strong]

It needn't be so complicated.

1) Reformat and install the OS again
2) Install CCleaner and use the 'wipe free space' option.

Don't do this.

Edit: if paranoid.

 

[JerryMungo]

Don't do this.

Edit: if paranoid.

You're going to have to be more specific. Nothing wrong with my suggestion.