How to Destroy a Computer Hard Drive the Right Way
It’s only a matter of time before you outgrow your latest technology purchase. When it comes to computers, it doesn’t seem to take long for them to slow down and be outshined by newer models. When that time comes, you may be wondering how to dispose of your current computer. The hard drive of a computer is where data is permanently stored, so this is what you should focus on getting completely destroyed. Read on to find out how to destroy a computer hard drive the right way.
Why pressing delete on old files isn’t enough
Hit the delete button, drop the computer off in a dumpster and be on your way. This seems like the easiest solution, but it is probably the most dangerous, and isn’t really a solution at all. You’re assuming that by deleting the file, you’ve erased the data.
Actually, when you “delete” a file, it only removes the file name from the file directory. Basically, your operating system no longer knows where the file is, so it assumes it’s gone. But it’s not really gone. The deleted item is still on your hard drive, just in a different place. Until new information is written over that data, it’s still very possible to extract the deleted data. That means, your “deleted” data is retrievable.
Why a hammer won’t do the job
Before you grab a hammer and go to town on your computer, you may want to re-think that choice. Here’s the thing: deleting confidential information is not a DIY project. Don’t do it yourself. Data can still be retrieved from partially damaged hard drives. When it comes to erasing personally identifiable or private business information (think confidential business records, social security numbers, etc.) and protected health information, do you really want to leave that up to chance?
Why hard drive shredding is the best choice
With hard drive shredding, you get complete physical destruction of your hard drive. The best part? It’s guaranteed. If you use Stevens and Stevens’ hard drive destruction services, we’ll provide you with a Certificate of Destruction which serves as proof of your compliance and corporate due diligence. This ensures you’re compliant with several regulations, such as HIPAA. When you’re ready to say goodbye to your computer and leave behind nothing but an unreadable pile of debris, get your hard drive shredded. If you’d like to learn more about our media destruction services, click here.
