How to Completely Clear and Erase Your Harddisk

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Formating Your Hard Disk Does Not Erase Your Data Completely

Before you dispose of your old computer, you need to make sure that all your data on your harddisk is erased completely. Using a simple command such as formating your harddisk or delete all the files on your harddisk is not enough as these command merely delete the file allocation table but the actual data still exists on the harddisk.
Old hard drives yield data bonanza - CNET News
Two MIT graduate students say they found personal and corporate information on used disk drives bought off the Internet and at swap meets. A CNET article by Sandeep Junnarkar, Staff Writer, CNET News. Published on January 15, 2003 12:35 PM PST.

Old Harddisk Disposal

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Why You Need to Remove All Data From Your HardDisk Before Disposal

If you just format your hard disk before selling, giving or throwing them away, your hard disk may end up in the hands of interested parties who may recover confidential information about from your hard disk. This may result in identity threft and security breech.

So it is important to properly and completely removed the data on your harddisk before selling or throwing it away.

The Expensive Way to Completely Clear Hard Disk Data

Destroy Your Hard Disk Data with a Hard Drive Degausser

Industrial grade Hard Drive Degausser can completely and securely erase your hard disk data and any magnetic residual that is left on it.
Fast, easy and efficient, the only setback here is the hefty price tag of these machines.
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The Violent Way to Destroy Hard Disk Data

Destroy Hard Disk using a sledge hammer

This is a cheap and easy way to destroy your hard disk physically along with all the data on the disk. This method is not recommended as the harddisk is destroyed and cannot be resused again. Not environmentally friendly and create more electronic waste.

Truper 30931 36-Inch Sledge Hammer with Fiberglass Handle with Rubber Grip, 12-Pound

Amazon Price: $34.28 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Can your hard disk survive a blow from this dude?

How to destroy a hard drive in under 45 seconds?
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The Easiest Way to Destroy Hard Disk Data

Data Shredder Software

Get a software data shredder which supports 5220.22-M shredding methods, the military standard set by the Department of Defense.

Using a data shredder to erase data on your harddisk will make data recovery impossible. The DoD 5220.22-M algorithm will rewrite several passes over the data area to clear any magnetic residuals left to the harddisk.

This is a preferred method as after shredding the data on your harddisk, you will be able to sell your old harddisk at ebay or donate it to charity without any worries.

Used Hard Disks For Sale at Ebay

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