Information security is a top priority for everyone in the day and age of regular hacking and cyber attack scandals. No one wants to be the the victim of a data breach or identity theft, due to the costly problems that can occur. Learning how to securely erase your hard drive will help prevent you from being the next headline on data breaches.

The problem with erasing your used hard drives and SSDs is that typically 67% still contain personally identifiable information and another 11% contained sensitive company information. Learn more about with this Data Recovery Study from 2016.

To help you make sure your hard drive gets erased securely, we are going to explain the minimum level of security you should take when disposing or selling storage devices.

How to securely erase HDD hard drives

There are 3 effective ways to securely erase your hard drive.

1. Software:
   This is the most used method for erasing hard disks. However it is not fast or easy. You need to be careful not to accidentally delete data on the computer operating the eraser. You will need to find a program online or for older computers on a CD, DVD, or bootable USB. Once installed, the computer used to erase the HDDs will need to be booted from the bootable device. Be very careful to only wipe the data from the targeted hard disk.
2. Hardware:
   This method to erase hard drives is easier than the above. Users simply purchase a device that connects to your hard disk and run through the directions.
3. Destruction:
   This is the most effective way of guaranteeing information is irretrievable. None of the previously mentioned methods guarantee that they will work on hard disks that are defective. Companies like teletraders.net will use equipment like shredders to streamline the process of destroying hard drives. However, for end users, another effective method is removing the platter from within the hard disk and puncturing/bending the platter with a nail and hammer. This guarantees that information is irretrievable. To be safe we recommend that you puncture the disk at least three times and bend the platter with a hammer.

How to securely erase SSD hard drives

Wiping data on SSDs is significantly more complicated than HDDs. One of the best ways to securely erase your hard drive data on SSDs is to head over to the manufactures website and use their recommended software. All major manufactures have their own propriety toolbox that works specifically with their SSDs.

Take a look at the specific manufacturers documentation and once again be very mindful not to delete SSDs that are in production. Mess up and your relevant data will be lost forever. It is always best practice to read through the manufactures documentation and watch a few YouTube instructional videos until you feel comfortable with using the software.

If your SSD is defective, once again the best method for securely eradicating your data is to destroy the SSD. This is a little trickier than a HDD because SSDs store information on a flash chip.

Let us securely erase your hard drive for you

No matter what method you plan to use to secure your data, we highly recommend that you do the minimum requirement to securely erase your data. Many of you are looking to sell you hard drives and SSDs and the above options can be time consuming, sometimes costly, and very dangerous to your information if done incorrectly.

Teletraders.net specializes in securing all personal data and information. Depending on your needs, we will either securely wipe your data with an eco-friendly approach to reuse your drives. We deal with hard drives and SSDs at high volume, this allows the process of securely eradicating data to be cost effect and easier.

If you are looking to sell your drives, we can offer you competitive rates based on the current market value. When we are done we will give you a certificate of data destruction that shows you and your organization is completely compliant with regulatory agencies such as HIPPA and SOX. Fill out our quote form for a free quote on your used hard drives.

If you are looking to sell your used hard drives and SSDs and the above options to securely erase your hard drive are too time consuming or costly or you still don’t understand how to do it, let us do it for you!