You have completed a forensic investigation case. You would like to destroy the data contained in various disks at the forensics lab due to sensitivity of the case. How would you permanently erase the data on the hard disk?
A.
Throw the hard disk into the fire
B.
Run the powerful magnets over the hard disk
C.
Format the hard disk multiple times using a low level disk utility
D.
Overwrite the contents of the hard disk with Junk data
The answer to this question is DEFINITELY NOT A. Most hard drive platters are fire-resistant and have been for years.
The correct answer should be C. You want to erase the data using a utility like DBAN, which formats the hard drive a number of times. I believe 5 instances is the DOD standard.
he correct answer is D. Overwrite the contents of the hard disk with junk data.
To permanently erase data on a hard disk, it is crucial to overwrite the existing data with junk data (random or meaningless information) multiple times. This ensures that the original data cannot be recovered, even with advanced forensic tools. This process is often referred to as data wiping or secure erasure.
While methods like using magnets or destroying the disk physically (e.g., throwing it into a fire) may render the disk unusable, they don't guarantee that data is completely irretrievable, especially by sophisticated recovery techniques. Overwriting the disk is the most reliable method to ensure data is unrecoverable.
Overwrite the contents of the hard disk with junk data.
Overwriting the data with random or junk data multiple times is a recognized method for securely erasing information from a hard disk. This process ensures that the original data is not recoverable using standard forensic tools and techniques.
Data Erasure Software: Use specialized data erasure software that overwrites the entire hard disk with random data or specific patterns multiple times. Popular software tools for this purpose include DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke), Blancco, and others. Follow the software's instructions for secure erasure.
Secure Erasure Method: Use a secure data erasure method that conforms to recognized standards, such as the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines for data sanitation or the DoD (Department of Defense) 5220.22-M standard, which specifies the number of overwrite passes and the method of data overwriting.
--> Format the hard disk multiple times using a low level disk utility
A is correct
The question is "destroy the data contained in various disks ... due to sensitive data".
We have nor information about the disks neither sensitivity level. So it could be Hard drive, SSD or even CD/DVD disks with Top Secret information.
So the best method in any case is to physically destroy using incinerator, shredder...
Formating and overwriting are not enough safe and not recommanded with sensitive data and not working for CD/DVD.
Degaussing with strong magnet works only for magnetic HDD.
Regarding DATA: Disk degaussing is a process by which a strong magnetic field is applied to storage device, resulting in an entirely clean device of any previously stored data.
NIST recommends a variety of methods to accomplish physical destruction of the digital media, which includes disintegration, incineration, pulverizing, shredding, and melting.
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