In researching this week’s Fun Friday topics, I came across this article on Gizmodo that talks about how to safely delete data from a hard drive. It’s not new, but the steps it recommends still hold up after six years. I agree with what it suggests, but when it comes to my personal hard drives, I use a much more direct solution. The tools in that article are good, but nothing beats real, physical damage.
That’s right, a sledgehammer.
When I’m ready to retire a computer, I strip the hard drive out of it if possible. In newer computers this isn’t always so easy, but keep in mind you’re probably retiring the computer so have at it. Use a crowbar if you have to. Then I put the drive in a paper bag, to limit the parts from spilling out, and I go to town on it with a 12-pound sledgehammer. I don’t stop until the drive sounds like a salt shaker when I shake it. If there’s nothing but dust inside the case, no one is going to be able to retrieve anything, period.
Now, I should point out that this method really only works with old-school physical hard drives. If you have a solid state drive, a sledgehammer will do surprisingly little damage. In fact I’ve heard of cases where solid state drives have survived explosions, being dropped from planes, and all sorts of abuse. When I had to retire my first solid state drive, I found I had to get a bit more creative.
This is nearly as much fun
I should point out that SolidSignal.com doesn’t sell rotary tools and the bloodsucking lawyers tell me I have to give you a disclaimer. So here goes. This blog does not endorse any specific brand of rotary tool and the above image was simply found on the internet. So there.
At any rate, I happen to have a rotary tool and I think you should too. It’s one of those things you will find surprisingly many uses for. I’ve found it’s the best way to deal with a solid state drive. Using its cutting attachment, open up the plastic shell of the drive, if it has one. Once you can see exposed computer chips, use the sanding or grinding attachment to turn those chips into dust. I recommend wearing an appropriate N95-style mask. Chances are you still have a few floating around considering what’s been going on the last couple years. The point is you don’t want to breathe in all the icky dust from computer chips.
A tool like this will turn your drive into unreadable powder in fairly short order. Depending on your local laws you may need to dispose of it as hazardous waste. Check with your city or town government.
Demolition can be extremely good for your mental health.
Putting in a little physical labor is going to help you in so many ways. Above all, this process will give you the peace of mind that no one is going to steal your data down the road. This can also be great fun if your computer has ever caused you pain and anguish. I highly recommend it.
