Shredding hard drives destruction of hard disks erased hard drives, whatever you’d like to label it it’s an extremely serious enterprise that requires the utmost precision and knowledge. No matter if you’re an individual or an organization as well as a public institution it’s a given that at some point you’ll need to ship your old computer into the air to be recycled.
In the year 2020, around 4 billion computers were sold around the world. This means that more than 400 million PCs will be outdated every year! Although many people believe that their data is safe from being accessible once it is thrown in landfills, the truth isn’t the case.
With advancements in technology, which can cost as little as $100, it’s never been more easy for criminals to gain access to your private information. The best way to be sure that your data is secure is to invest in a shredder for hard drives.
An in-depth understanding of what shredding of hard drives entails is essential to ensure that the procedure is performed in a safe and efficient manner. Since the procedure has become commonplace there are many businesses and individuals who have been stung by untrained workers who aren’t aware of the power these machines are able to generate.
If they didn’t follow the steps precisely enough In not following the steps properly, they’ve caused irreparable harm to computers with older models 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 and other related issues including higher levels of security as well as peace of mind.
What exactly is hard-drive shredding?
Shredding a hard drive is a procedure where the user takes apart the hard drive, then tears it up one layer at a time until nothing remains except dust (and perhaps 1s and 0s). This process ensures that the information stored within the drive has been destroyed and is now impossible to read.
Even with the most advanced technology it’s difficult to retrieve information from a damaged drive because everything is shredded into small pieces so hackers aren’t able to restore it to its original state. There are other options like degaussing, however this method is simply de-magnetizing the hard drives, not shredding them as it would be with machines.
What Do You Know When Your Hard Drive is in need of being shredded?
You can determine whether your hard drive is in need of shredding. Follow these easy steps:
If you’re sending your drive away to recycle, make sure you ensure that the label is ‘PCB’ or ‘Printed Circuit Board. The PCB is the place to store all the components essential to a computer (CPU RAM, CPU and more. ) Without it the old computer won’t function as it should.
If there’s no sticker with the word PCB printed on the surface of your hard drive, take a look at the size. Most desktop computers are equipped with larger HDDs that laptop computers, which means it could be an SSD when yours is exceptionally small. SSDs are difficult to degrade, which is why they typically require special techniques like degaussing.
Another way to determine whether your hard drive requires shredding is to check the model and maker. The older HDDs are typically extremely heavy (and over-sized) however modern HDD’s are extremely small and light (like credit card).
Also, you can do an easy Google search on your brand’s name and model. If you’re selling second-hand versions of your item and it’s likely to be appropriate to take it to recycling! However If you are unable to locate anything related to your drive on the internet, it’s time to make a shred.
Advantages to Hard Drive Shredding
There are many advantages in getting rid of old computer components, including:
The prevention of opportunistic crimes One of the primary reasons why people want to erase the hard drive is because it stops criminals who are opportunistic from gaining access to sensitive or personal information.
Usually, they sell their gadgets and appliances on sites like eBay in exchange for cash. However, there are some who take these items off the market and steal everything they can get their hands on including details of passwords and credit card numbers as well as the bank’s account number!
Any information in the incorrect hands could result in death So removing old technology is essential to prevent identity theft.
Making sure that your data does not fall in the wrong hands: Similar to stopping criminals from committing opportunistic crimes shredding of hard drives is crucial to safeguard the environment.
It’s easy to recycle all electronic devices to an experienced business is a great way to beginning, but if someone discovers a way to access your computer, there’s always the chance that 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 important business data. A great example occurred in 2012, when more than 300 Syrian activists were able to have their Gmail accounts compromised after recycling their laptops.
After hackers accessed their personal data It was just a matter of time until Bashar al-Assad’s government found them and executed the hackers. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that you’ve disposed of all your personal data prior to getting rid of your electronic devices.
How do you shred a Hard Drive?
There are two primary ways to eliminate old hard drives: physical shredding and degaussing. Both methods are highly efficient however physical shredders can also be utilized for other gadgets like old mobile phones or DVDs, credit cards, etc. Degaussers, on the other hand, are usually only appropriate for computers.
Physical Shredding: Before you choose the right machine, it is important to know the kind of disk you’ll be dealing with as the process differs according to the type of drive, SSD or an HDD. SSDs are commonly used in laptops with newer models because they’re lighter and smaller than traditional hard drives.
The downside is that they’re difficult to remove that’s led to numerous companies to provide services to help with this. However the more traditional HDDs are much simpler to eliminate, but physically shredders aren’t as effective in destroying every single piece.
Here’s how it will work:
1 . Disconnect the drive the computer and disconnect any wires connecting it so that you are able to lay the device flat an unflattable table or any other surfaces.
2 . Place the machine on top of the device and then lower the lid to ensure that you can begin loading your hard drive into it in a gradual manner. Be careful not to push anything inside the machine as this could likely cause the machine to be jammed to the point of being completely jammed!
3 . Then, wait until the shredded remnants emerge from the other side, then shut off the machine.
4 . If you are planning to use the old hard drive to do something else in the future, make sure you remove all pieces left behind using the help of a screwdriver or magnet, else they could cause severe damage to your new computer!
Degaussing: In regards to degaussers there are two distinct kinds function in different ways. One is specifically designed for drives that rotate, while the other one is suitable for old SSHD drives. There are other machines that work with both types However, it’s always important to check before you buy because there aren’t all degaussing providers that provide take-back programs similar to physical shredders.
If so you should review online reviews before granting them your company.
1 . Review the specifications of the machine before returning it to your home to ensure that it is compatible with your drive. If the provider only offers degausses for spinning drives Do not waste your time since this method is extremely expensive and slow!
2 . After you’ve established that everything is working, remove it from the 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 plug in each once.
3 . Note down the wires that connect to where, gradually begin feeding the drive-through and watching for bumps or lumps that are not even to emerge. If your device becomes stuck or you see sparks emanating from the device, switch off the device immediately and then contact an expert for assistance.
4 . Once you’ve plugged in the entire drive, turn on the degausser to finish the process. Then, carefully remove any remaining bits using the help of a screwdriver or magnet to make sure you don’t hurt your own. Once you’ve finished, figure out the best way to seal any remaining holes prior to adding recycled-safe tape to protect yourself in the event of.
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