I've deleted data from my old works laptop and have removed data, defragged using defragler (x3), overwritten the drives free space using ccleaner on very complex 35 passes and then a further 7 passes.

Will this thwart most recovery software? Most passwords used on it should already be redundant following Heartbleed.

After the laptop is returned I have no control over what happens to it, and previously I've used personal stuff (banking, PayPal etc) so keen to make it as difficult as possible to recover data without physically destroying the drive

Will this be enough?

Just to be extra sure:-

 

Active@Killdisk, US DoD certified IIRC

We use WipeDrive Pro simply because it is certified to the most rigorous standards http://www.whitecanyon.com/ConsumerWipeDrivePro

Whilst not certified to these standards, CCleaner is probably just as good.

I would use software designed for it, however that said sometimes that doesnt help!

 

Have a watch of this, gives a good insight to where the deleted data goes!

 

I've DBAN'd laptops in the past before handing them back. Though I knew the lappy was returning to Dell or HP, so no local noses to be tweaked by me doing so.

 

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-hard-disk-cleaning-and-erasing-tools/

 

J.

Or use N52 Neodymium Magnets ..they work! tried and tested! 

I would use software designed for it, however that said sometimes that doesnt help!

 

Have a watch of this, gives a good insight to where the deleted data goes!

 

dude, you could have just said 'kill it with fire' instead

Spybot S&D has a file shredder with various levels of shredding and over writing; I dont know if it is up to US crypto standards though, I used to own a copy of one that was, but we are talking 10 years ago.

Well done another 7 pass wipe overnight, so that's 49 passes all in.

I'm sure someone with a lab or government tools will recover something, but so long as most free/off the shelf stuff will struggle that'll do me.

Laptop's on its way back so too late to worry now.

I've DBAN'd laptops in the past before handing them back. Though I knew the lappy was returning to Dell or HP, so no local noses to be tweaked by me doing so.

 

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-hard-disk-cleaning-and-erasing-tools/

 

J.

 

another vote for DBAN.

 

I think you'll be ok, that's about as far as you can go without physically wrecking the drive. If I really want your information that much I'll just come round to visit and get medieval on yo ass

 

Edited 11 July, 201411 yr by Aspman

Well done another 7 pass wipe overnight, so that's 49 passes all in.

I'm sure someone with a lab or government tools will recover something, but so long as most free/off the shelf stuff will struggle that'll do me.

Laptop's on its way back so too late to worry now.

The 7-pass US DoD 5220.22-M method is what the NSA use and makes it impossible to recover anything through the disk interface and impractical to recover data - even with a magnetic force microscope.

What did you have stored on the disk

The 7-pass US DoD 5220.22-M method is what the NSA use and makes it impossible to recover anything through the disk interface and impractical to recover data - even with a magnetic force microscope.

What did you have stored on the disk

I have heard of trying to cover your browsing history :peek:  but 49 passes is a bit OTT imho.

The 7-pass US DoD 5220.22-M method is what the NSA use and makes it impossible to recover anything through the disk interface and impractical to recover data - even with a magnetic force microscope.

What did you have stored on the disk

Nothing really, more stories of data being recovered off drives.  I've previously done shopping, banking etc on it so was just keen to trash data so wherever it ends up my data's safe.

 

If it was mine, it'd be physically destroyed. 

You're fine.

 

You can still get data back if you really try, but none of us posting on here are of that much interest that people will spend millions with the drive in a clean room analysing edges of tracks.

I'll bet he is ashamed of his diligent browsing of the Lama-porn website.

I'll bet he is ashamed of his diligent browsing of the Lama-porn website.

Rule 1 of porn is not to use the works machine

Rule 1 of porn is not to use YOUR   works machine

 

I corrected that for you

I corrected that for you

All net traffic is sent back to the office so never did