Do you have a hard drive on your hands that you no longer use or cannot be accessed via your computer, but where sensitive data is stored? Do you want to be sure that such data cannot be recovered by anyone? After formatting the hard drive, consider one of the proposed options to make sure that no one can recover your data. This article explains how to erase data from a hard drive and then physically destroy it so that no one can recover the data it contained.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Erase the Data
Step 1. Back up your data
It's easy to forget all your MP3 files and family vacation photos when your only thought is to destroy the evidence that caused you so much embarrassment and shame and avoid legal trouble. Although the purpose of this article is to permanently erase the data on your hard drive, you may need to create a backup copy of some very important information perhaps for legal purposes.
Step 2. Format the hard drive to erase all the data it contains
While physically destroying the memory drive can be a good method of getting rid of your data, it is not 100% safe and effective (especially since governments nowadays are willing to spend large amounts of time and money if find it necessary to discover people's innermost secrets). You can format a hard drive using the built-in functions in Windows or macOS without the need to install a third-party program.
- Read this article to find out how to format a hard drive.
- Fully formatting a computer hard drive may be enough to make your compromising data disappear. Only a few experts have the means and tools needed to recover data from a hard drive after it has been formatted.
Step 3. Unmount the computer case and uninstall the hard drive
Depending on the type of case, the hard drive can be mounted in different places. In some cases it is installed inside a sort of metal cage. If you are having difficulty, do an online search to find out where your computer's hard drive is located using the make and model.
Step 4. Remove the hard drive outer shell
To perform this step you will have to unscrew a series of screws located in different places, depending on the brand and model of the disc. Chances are you will need to cut or remove some security seals. Be careful because often some of the fixing screws are hidden under the adhesive labels on the disc, so to be able to unscrew them all you may need to perform an accurate search.
Step 5. Remove the arms and heads
In order to reach the hard drive platters, which are the real target, you will first need to disassemble the mechanical arms and heads. To perform this step you will need to unscrew several screws. The process to follow is very intuitive. Remove the heads very carefully as you could easily injure yourself.
Perform this step carefully as these are very dangerous mechanical components that you could injure yourself with. After removing the arms and heads, keep them out of the reach of children and pets to prevent them from ingesting them by mistake
Step 6. Remove and destroy the dishes
These are very thin circular objects characterized by a reflective mirror-like surface. You will most likely need to unscrew the center pin that holds the hard drive platter stack in place. This is the part of the disk where the data is stored (at least most of it). Remember that in some cases there are multiple dishes, so be careful.
Method 2 of 2: Destroy a Hard Drive
Step 1. Incinerate the device
Burning a hard drive gives you the guarantee that all the data it contains is completely destroyed in minutes. Starting a fire for the sole purpose of destroying a hard drive is not the best choice. To safely destroy your hard drive, contact a company or professional who offers this type of service and has all the tools you need to incinerate this type of device without taking any risk.
Step 2. Destroy the hard drive with a hammer
Before starting the procedure, insert the memory unit into a fabric bag so that no fragments are lost. Get a hammer (most likely you already have a suitable hammer at home, if not, contact a hardware store). Use the indicated tool to repeatedly hit the hard drive until you have smashed it to pieces. When you are done, divide all the pieces of the hard drive into multiple bags and throw them in different garbage bins so that no one can retrieve them all.
Step 3. Pierce the hard drive from side to side
Use a sharp knife or any metal-tipped utensil to pierce the device on both sides, possibly side to side. This will make the dishes in which all data are stored unusable.
Warnings
- It is impossible to be guaranteed that the method you have chosen to permanently erase your data is 100% effective. Follow the steps in this article very carefully and cautiously.
- Before destroying the hard drive, take all necessary safety measures to protect yourself and avoid serious injury.
