Do modern file systems actually remove it from disk? It’s been a while since I did any forensics and didn’t do much of it, but I remember being able to batch restore files from inodes as long as that part of the disk hadn’t been overwritten. That’s why you’re supposed to overwrite disks with random data if you want to data gone.
better encrypt the drive and trash the key when you decommission.
Absolutely.
I’ve had to RMA defective HDDs, and was glad I didn’t have to think about what kind of data was still on the platters.
SSDs and HDDs don’t always completely fail either. I’ve had a case where the drive could still be read, albeit very slowly. Writes were not working. Kinda sucks if you wanted to empty the drive before handing it in for repair/replacement.
You mean like in your kitchen? Too much metal, you’ll damage your magnetron.
You could use thermite and melt it to a pulp. Dangerous as well, though.
Really, just encrypt. Your CPU has AES extensions, performance impact is negligible. Simple, clean, and a protection against involuntary decommission as well.
Do modern file systems actually remove it from disk? It’s been a while since I did any forensics and didn’t do much of it, but I remember being able to batch restore files from inodes as long as that part of the disk hadn’t been overwritten. That’s why you’re supposed to overwrite disks with random data if you want to data gone.
Nah, they just throw away the block markings, absolutely.
Overwriting a SSD is difficult as well, better encrypt the drive and trash the key when you decommission.
Trim does a pretty good job actually. Secure erase as well.
https://rossmanngroup.com/technical-reference/what-trim-does-and-why-it-destroys-data
Absolutely.
I’ve had to RMA defective HDDs, and was glad I didn’t have to think about what kind of data was still on the platters.
SSDs and HDDs don’t always completely fail either. I’ve had a case where the drive could still be read, albeit very slowly. Writes were not working. Kinda sucks if you wanted to empty the drive before handing it in for repair/replacement.
What about microwaving it?
You mean like in your kitchen? Too much metal, you’ll damage your magnetron.
You could use thermite and melt it to a pulp. Dangerous as well, though.
Really, just encrypt. Your CPU has AES extensions, performance impact is negligible. Simple, clean, and a protection against involuntary decommission as well.
If the file is on an SSD and trim is enabled, the blocks will be erased eventually.