subject: Wipe your Hard Disk [print this page] Wipe your Hard Disk Wipe your Hard Disk
Wipe your Hard Disk
Why should you delete your data? May be you do not need it or may be you are afraid that any one else can get access to it and misuse it. The reasons can be many but solution is one that is deletion of the data. So, the deletion must be done with much precaution and effectiveness so that the deleted data is not again accessible by any means. When we have ended using any file and we don not need it any more in future then we usually delete it using the Delete or Shift + Delete option of the operating system. The files deleted by Delete' command goes to Recycle bin folder in the computer. You have to delete it from the Recycle bin to permanently delete it. Formatting of the Disk or disk partitions also delete data. But, are the files really deleted permanently? All the above methods just give a feel that the data is erased and the disk is clean and free of space. All the deleted data is residing at its own place. But, you don't need to worry as there is solution to every problem.
Hard disk eraser software is needed to permanently erase all the data of your disk. Many good data erasers are available on the internet. You can just search them through google or any other search engine. Many of them are also available on trial basis. You should always go for the recommended and recognized one, as it can be held responsible for the wipe process. You must be thinking, what is the difference between data deletion using delete command available in operating system and the deletion using the Data eraser software. Files contain a pointer that helps in accessing them. When a file is deleted using operating system commands, only its pointer is deleted not the data.
Files deleted by using Delete, Shift + Delete or Format options are very much present at their locations. The space acquired by them is marked as free or available. When ever a new file is to be written it is written in this presumed free space. Data recovery applications are able to easily recover the so called deleted data. Data recovery software needs little technical knowledge to operate and recover the deleted data. So, to safeguard your privacy you should securely delete the data using any Wiping software. These applications use verified and tested wipe algorithms that overwrite the deleted data. The bit pattern that is overwritten depends on the algorithm used.
Like this you don't have to worry that your data can be recovered or misused by any person with malicious intent.
To know some more interesting tips and tricks to permanently delete hard disk or data, you can visit: http://www.recoveryknowledgebase.com/Secure-Erase-to-Permanently-Delete-all-Files-and-Data-in-Hard-Disk.htm.
