Concerns regarding a computer issue

[english vicky]

Hi there, I'm looking for reassurance, advise or whatever.

I just sold my old computer to a relative. I formatted the computer twice restoring it to factory settings before passing it on - and I'm concerned that they might accidently access some old information. Since I'm here you can guess what that may be.

They wouldn't be able to access it would they? For their own sake I wouldn't want them to.

Vicki

 

[Xelebes]

I believe you are safe. If the computer is set back to factory setting, it should be safe. There was a case about a guy buying a refurbished computer from a computer dealer and the computer dealer did not reformat the drive(s) and so there was information still left on it. The main concern is to reformat to favtory condition and then it should all be good.

 

[english vicky]

I believe you are safe. If the computer is set back to factory setting, it should be safe. There was a case about a guy buying a refurbished computer from a computer dealer and the computer dealer did not reformat the drive(s) and so there was information still left on it. The main concern is to reformat to favtory condition and then it should all be good.

Thank you, I did that twice so I really hope it worked.

 

[JoseIsWild]

Yes, as long as you do the long format, not the quick one.

 

[english vicky]

Yes, as long as you do the long format, not the quick one.

Don't know what you mean, but it took about 3 hours...

 

[m wisdom]

Then it was the long one.

But even if you only do a quick format there is no risk of accidently seeing anything. You have to run special programs to get the data.

I would say that you are safe.

 

[english vicky]

But even if you only do a quick format there is no risk of accidently seeing anything. You have to run special programs to get the data.

Phew! Thanks it's good to hear that.

I feel reassured now!

Vicky

 

[catalina_francisco]

Normal persons will not be able to retrieve information from your hard disks, only nerds with too much time on their hands or professionals. If you do an unconditional (long) format then it is unlikely that a person can retrieve information from your hard disk.

However do not feel safe, because it is a matter of fact that even if you do an unconditional format it is still possible to retrieve and read the information from the Hard disk.

The only real way to reformat a hard disk is to perform a low level format, which takes about 12 to 14 hour followed by wiping the hard disk with special software. Wiping means writing blank data to your hard disk, basically it gives every bit a value of 1 put and does not put a pointer on it, so that it is not readable data.

The moral of this story if you do not want persons to be able to read data from your old hard disk take it out of the pc buy a second hand hard disk and keep the old one, or destroy it. If you can not afford to buy a new hard disk, try the following software it gives decent protection. http://www.east-tec.com/eraser/

If you have hard disk that has data that needs to be recovered, Is interesting to read how much they can retrieve from hard disk.
http://www.recallusa.com/hd_data_recovery.htm

Francisco.
Paranoia is not a state of mind it is a lifestyle.

 

[Relentless]

The only real way to reformat a hard disk is to perform a low level format, which takes about 12 to 14 hour followed by wiping the hard disk with special software. Wiping means writing blank data to your hard disk, basically it gives every bit a value of 1 put and does not put a pointer on it, so that it is not readable data.

Actially even then it's possible to get data from it. If you really want to be sure, you need to shatter or otherwise mangle the platters (disks).

However, since retriving the data would take both a lot of time and a lot of know-how, I think vicky is safe.

Unless you sold it to your 14 year old nephew, then there might be a problem.....

 

[Xelebes]

Actially even then it's possible to get data from it. If you really want to be sure, you need to shatter or otherwise mangle the platters (disks).

However, since retriving the data would take both a lot of time and a lot of know-how, I think vicky is safe.

Unless you sold it to your 14 year old nephew, then there might be a problem.....

Actually the only way to make absolutely sure no one can retrieve data is to actually format it 32 times. The FBI can track the data after 31 times but 32 is just impossible for them.

 

[catalina_francisco]

First let me start by apologizing for the hijack of the thread but data recovery is a pet subject for me.

What people really should do is to install an encryption solution. Buy PGP, Safeguard easy or safe boot. Make sure you use a smartcard or token solution to store your password/token/certificate and then only then you might have a chance if someone wants to steal your data and are willing to pay a lot of money to get to it.

About the 32 times hard disk format that is less secure the using a wiping software package, depending on which kind of algorithm you use for the wiping, but you can normally set it from 1 pass to up to about 99 passes. Using wiping software is faster then performing 32 unconditional hard disk formats in a row, however if you do not want to spend the money on a wiping software package it is a good alternative. Wiping software has one big advantage; you can perform a wipe on the deleted material on your hard disk without having to format everything.

However like mentioned before if you perform a single unconditional hard disk format is should be enough to protect your data.

Here are some interesting links for the people who are interested in securing their data.

Here is a program I use to wipe hard disks for non governmental institutions, and it is for free, in fact everyone should use it before selling their PC.
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

If you are interested in knowing more about the technology used to recover data from hard disk, be warned very technical.
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/secure_del.html

Encryption software:
www.utimaco.com
http://www.pgp.com
www.safeboot.com

Wiping Hard disk:
http://www.quickwiper.com/lessons/6_wiping_algorithms.htm
http://www.paragon-gmbh.com/n_dw.htm

Francisco.

 

[english vicky]

First let me start by apologizing for the hijack of the thread but data recovery is a pet subject for me.

What people really should do is to install an encryption solution. Buy PGP, Safeguard easy or safe boot. Make sure you use a smartcard or token solution to store your password/token/certificate and then only then you might have a chance if someone wants to steal your data and are willing to pay a lot of money to get to it.

About the 32 times hard disk format that is less secure the using a wiping software package, depending on which kind of algorithm you use for the wiping, but you can normally set it from 1 pass to up to about 99 passes. Using wiping software is faster then performing 32 unconditional hard disk formats in a row, however if you do not want to spend the money on a wiping software package it is a good alternative. Wiping software has one big advantage; you can perform a wipe on the deleted material on your hard disk without having to format everything.

However like mentioned before if you perform a single unconditional hard disk format is should be enough to protect your data.

Oh my...that is a LOT of information! Thanks for that.

I've sold it to my great uncle and wife, we had to explain what the printer was to my great uncle - so I don't think I have too many worries there! His wife uses computers but only at work, and it was quite strict as to what they could/couldn't do so she didn't play about much...just used Word that sort of thing.

They have a grandson who is about 14, he has some disabilities but knows how to use a computer and is very clever with them...I don't think he's at hacking stage though! They said he's very clever - that may have meant he knows how to use lots of programmes well though.

What I was mainly worried about was falling upon information/old ICQ conversations that sort of things, which it appears wouldn't happen after formatting it the way I did. I guess they're not likely to accidently find stuff.

Thanks guys for all the advice and assistance! It's appreciated!

Vicky

 

[AngelicAssassin]

The wiping utility writes all ones to each cluster of the disk, followed by all zeros. One iteration should be safe, but some like the DoD approach of 3-7. Follow that up with an executable like gdisk that blows away the MBR (destroys the partions) then low level format it, and you're about as safe as can be.

If you're paranoid, take the HDD out of the computer, lay it on a high powered magnet for a week, then send it to a security facility that shreds it. i don't know of any clean rooms, including the FBI and CIA that can do much with the pieces.

 

[FungiUg]

Unless your relative works for someone like the FBI, you should be safe with a format. Even a quick format probably would have been fine, but the 3-hour job will make doubly sure.