Shredding hard drives destruction of hard disks erased hard drives, whatever you’d like to label it it’s an important business that requires the utmost precision and knowledge. No matter if you’re an individual or an enterprise and even an official organization There’s no doubt that at some point you’ll need to send your old laptop off to the waste stream for recycling.
In the year 2020, around 4 billion computers were sold around the world. That’s over 400 million computer systems will be outdated every year! Although many people believe that their information is secure from being stolen once it’s dumped into landfill sites, it isn’t the case.
With the advancements in technology that cost as low as $100, it’s never been more easy for criminals to gain access to your private information. The most secure way to ensure that your data is secure is to invest in a shredder for your hard drive.
An in-depth understanding of what shredding of hard drives entails is vital to ensure the process is carried out properly and safely. As this procedure has become commonplace numerous businesses and individuals have been exposed as employees who have no experience and don’t know how much power these devices are able to generate.
If they didn’t follow the steps carefully enough In not following the steps properly, they’ve caused irreparable harm to the older computers and rendered them useless and costing their business or their home enormous amounts of cash!
This article will give you all the information you need to proper destruction of your hard drive as well as other issues including greater security levels as well as peace of mind.
What exactly is Hard Drive Shredding?
Hard-drive shredding is a procedure where the user takes apart the hard drive and then tear it down one layer at a time until nothing remains except dust (and hopefully , 1s and zeros). This technique ensures that all data on the drive is destroyed and is now impossible to read.
Even with modern machines it’s difficult to retrieve the data from a drive that has been destroyed because everything is shredded into small pieces so hackers can’t even be able to put it back together. There are alternative methods, like degaussing, however this procedure just demagnetizes the hard drives, not shredding them as it would be with the help of a machine.
What Do You Know When Your Hard Drive is in need of being shredded?
It is possible to determine whether your hard drive is in need of shredding. Follow these easy steps:
If you’re donating the drive to be recycled, you should ensure that the label mentions ‘PCB’ or Circuit Board. The PCB houses all of the necessary components (CPU RAM, CPU and so on. ) If it’s not there the old computer won’t function as it should.
If there’s no sticker that says PCB on the exterior of your hard drive, take a look at the size. In general, desktop computers are equipped with larger HDDs as compared to laptops which means it could be an SSD when yours is exceptionally small. SSDs are difficult to degrade, which is why they generally require specialist methods like degaussing.
Another way to determine whether your hard drive requires shredding is by examining the model and maker. The older HDDs are typically extremely heavy (and large) however modern HDD’s are extremely light and compact (like credit card).
Finally, do the simplest Google search of your brand name and model. If you’re selling second-hand versions or versions of your product and it’s likely to be appropriate to take it to recycling! However If you are unable to discover anything about your drive on the internet, it’s time to make a shred.
The benefits of Hard Drive Shredding
There are many advantages for getting rid of outdated computer components, including:
Prevention of opportunistic criminals One of the primary reasons why people choose to delete the hard drive is because it blocks criminals with apprehension from gaining access to sensitive or personal information.
Usually, they sell gadgets and appliances through websites such as eBay in exchange for cash. However, there are some who take these items off the market and steal anything they can that includes details of passwords and credit card numbers as well as accounts numbers!
The information that is in incorrect hands could result in death So removing old technology is vital to avoid identity theft.
Ensure that data doesn’t get into the wrong hands Similar to stopping the possibility of crime shredding hard drives is vital to protect the environment.
Just recycling your electronic devices through an experienced firm is a good start, but if anyone is able to gain access to your computer, there’s a good chance they’ll have access to data from users who have previously used it.
This could range from old photos cameras to preferences for software with crucial business information. One excellent example occurred in 2012, when over 300 Syrian activists were able to have their Gmail accounts hacked following the recycling of their laptops.
When hackers gained access to their personal data It was just a matter of time until Bashar al-Assad’s government found them and executed the hackers. This is why it is essential to make sure that you’ve disposed of all your personal data prior to disposing of your electronics.
How do you shred a Hard Drive?
There are two primary methods to dispose of old hard drives: physical shredding and degaussing. Both methods are highly efficient However, physical shredders may also be utilized for other gadgets like old mobile phones or DVDs, credit cards, etc. Degaussers, on the other hand, are typically only suitable for products that are computer-related.
Physical Shredding: Prior to deciding on one particular device, you must be aware of the type that drive it is you’re working in because the process differs dependent on the type of drive, SSD or an HDD. SSDs are commonly installed in laptops of recent models since they’re lighter and smaller than traditional hard drives.
The downside is that they’re hard to remove and this has led numerous companies to provide services to help with this. However more traditional HDDs are much simpler to remove, however physical shredders aren’t as effective in destroying every single piece.
Here’s how it is done:
1 . Remove the USB drive plug from the computer and take out any wires that connect it so the drive can be laid flat the table or other flat surfaces.
2 . Set the machine up over the device, then lower the lid that protects it so it can begin feeding your hard drive into it in a gradual manner. Don’t push anything into the machine as this could probably cause it to jam to the point of being completely jammed!
3 . Make sure that the remains of the shredded are removed from the other side. then switch off the machine.
4 . If you intend to use the old hard drive to do something else in the future, make sure you remove any remaining pieces using the help of a screwdriver or magnet, else they could cause severe harm to the next computer!
Degaussing: With regards to degaussers there are two distinct types work in different ways. One is made to work with rotating drives, and the other one is designed to work with older SSHD drives. There are also machines that are suitable for both however it’s important to check before you buy because there aren’t all degaussing providers that provide take-back programs similar to physical shredders.
If so then you must look up reviews on the internet before you give them your company.
1 . Verify the specifications of the machine prior to taking it home to make sure it’s compatible with your drive. If the company only provides degausses for spinning drives Do not waste your time since this method is extremely slow and costly!
2 . Once you’ve figured out how the device is functioning, carefully take your device out of its case and plug in any connecting wires, so that you can start conducting tests. Be sure to connect the power strip that has an on/off switch , so that you don’t have to disconnect and reconnect every one time.
3 . Take note of which wires are connected to which and gradually start feeding the drive-through and watching for any bumps or lumps to appear. If your device is stuck or you see sparks emanating from the device, switch off the device immediately and then contact an expert for assistance.
4 . After you’ve fed the entire drive, turn on the degausser to finish the process. Afterwards, you should remove the remaining pieces using an awl or screwdriver to ensure you don’t cut your own. After that, you’ll need to find the best way to seal any holes left, and then add recycled-safe tape to protect yourself in the event of.
The Little Red Journal Business Pages