what is the best/easy way to erase files
Thu, 2006-10-19 15:39
To All:
I have a new PC and need to rid of my old PC.
While I don't have much confidential stuffs in it,
and the computer probably will be hacked by
my geeky brother-in-law, I do want to securely
erase my stuffs. What is the best/easy way to
do this? Use shred? I only need to erase a
few directories, i.e.,
shred $HOME//
or reformat the disk or what? Don't want to do too
much works or figure (learn) what to do too much.
Sheng-Chieh
You can use
shredto permanently delete files, by using the command:shred -n 25 -vz fileThis will write random data over the file 25 times, the -v gives you verbose and the z will write a final pass over of zeros after the random pass overs have finished.
You can also use shred to wipe the hard drive with:
shred -n 25 -vz /dev/drive_name(replacing 'drive_name' with hda or whatever)I think these methods should suffice your needs.
dylunio
Shred should be effective enough, but if you want to be absolutely sure your data is destroyed...
DBAN is what you want.
Thank for your inputs. I'll be "shredding" soon.
Sheng-Chieh
I'm on the old computer trying shred.
shred does not remove file recursively, nor does it remove a blank directory.
Either
- how do I shred a directory recursively?
- how do I figure out the hard drive, I'm in? For this, do I need to be
in root?
Or is it just easier to use DBAN?
Sheng-Chieh
If I use DBAN, will that ruin the chance for another OS to load up?
I.e., I have Xandros OS on it. I assume that DBAN will wipe itThe old computer will go to my geeky brother-in-law (who will do who knows?).
If he decides to load up another OS, will he be able to do it?
Sheng-Chieh
Once DBAN has hit your drive it'll be clean, but you will be able to install another OS on it, it basicly returns the hard drive to the state you'd buy it in.