Which of the following is an act of permanently removing all the data from a storage device?
In this article, we’ll be looking at how to wipe and secure external hard drives. Read on to find out more about why you might need to wipe your device and how to do it. Show
UPDATED: February 17, 2022 Need to free up space on an external storage device, or you want to get rid of some sensitive information? Perhaps you’re disposing of a device, selling it, or simply loaning it out. In any of these cases, you might need to ensure that sensitive data is completely wiped and cannot be recovered by any means. Just as devices like your computer and phone are subject to data theft, so are your external storage devices. It’s a good idea to make sure you know how to securely erase external devices, like:
We’ve covered securely erasing internal memory devices in-depth before, but in this post, we’ll be delving into how to tackle external devices. Read on to find out more about why you might need to wipe your device and how to do it, including helpful tools suitable for various operating systems. Note that many of the apps we’ll discuss are for use alongside desktop operating systems, MacOS, and Windows, but there are actually some options available for mobile Android users too. Contents [hide]
Simply “deleting” a file does not erase itDeleting files on HDDsWhen you delete files on traditional internal hard disk drives (HDDs), the data is not actually removed. The space it occupies is just marked as available which means third-party data recovery software can often recover the so-called “deleted” data. There are two good reasons deleting a file doesn’t delete it completely:
Deleting files on SSDsDeleting data from modern internal solid-state drives (SSDs) works a little differently. When you delete a file, a TRIM command immediately removes all reference to that file. However, TRIM only works on internal solid-state drives, not on external devices. Two ways to wipe data from your external storage deviceTo wipe data from an external storage device, you can try using the formatting feature built into the Windows and MacOS operating systems. This performs a write-zero pass which fills the storage space with zeros. This might be okay for some uses and we’ll show you how to do it below. However, it’s not a fail-safe option as some data recovery tools are designed to overcome a write-zero pass. Another option is to use a dedicated secure data deletion software. We’ll give you plenty of examples of these below. They all have pros and cons and work in a variety of ways including:
But first, back to formatting. Formatting an external deviceWindows and MacOS operating systems come with an in-built format option that can erase everything from an external storage device. Just make sure you do not erase your internal hard drive; it is an easy mistake to make and there is no going back. How to format an external device using WindowsTo reformat a USB device using Windows:
How to format an external device using MacOSTo reformat a USB device using MacOS:
Securely erasing external storage devices using an appIf you really want to be sure your data is wiped, some developers — including those sharing views on Stack Exchange — suggest the only way to totally erase the data on an external storage device is to take a hammer (or other destructive tools) to it. This is a bit extreme unless you intend on getting rid it anyway. But since formatting the device isn’t a fail-safe option, you might get more peace of mind from using third-party software. A major benefit of this is that you typically get more control over exactly what is erased and how. Choosing an app to securely erase external storage devicesThere are many free and paid options to securely erase data from external storage devices. When choosing one, the four main questions you need to ask yourself are:
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be ready to make an informed choice. Popular tools and methods to securely erase external storage devicesWhen it comes to securely erasing external storage devices, there are many options available, but your choice will depend heavily on your operating system. Many vendors provide versions for both MacOS and Windows, but some are only suitable for one or the other. There are also a couple of options that work with Android devices, but there isn’t anything out there for iOS users. Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular tools for a range of operating systems. Tip: Look out for special offers when shopping. Many of the apps listed below, at the time of writing, were discounted up to 25 percent below the prices noted here. Secure Eraser (Android)If you want to get rid of that very private document listing all your personally identifiable information, you need an app like Secure Eraser, which overwrites available storage on your device with random data and then deletes it. Lightweight Secure Eraser can wipe both internal drives and external storage devices. It has mixed reviews from users but is very simple to use, with few cosmetic bells and whistles. It is sufficient for the general erasing of data that is not too important. Cost:
Shreddit (Android)Similar to Secure Eraser, Shreddit claims to use a shredding algorithm that shreds huge data volumes permanently in a matter of seconds. This tool has endured complaints regarding the injection of some third-party ads, although they are generally unobtrusive, and the developers have actually removed this “feature” in the most recent release. The app has a more intuitive, user-friendly interface than Secure Eraser, and can wipe internal and external data. No recovery tool, claim the developers, can recover data erased by this app. The app has received mostly positive reviews from users. Cost:
CCleaner (Windows)CCleaner is one of the most popular Windows optimization and cleaning utilities around. Its popularity stems from the numerous additional options it allows, for example, registry cleaning and the removal of unused files. This toolkit is a good all-rounder to manage your data storage. It also allows you to securely erase data on external storage devices. The premium versions provide advanced options like scheduling data management activities. Cost:
Eassos PartitionGuru (Windows)This app is quick and easy to use and packed with features. It allows you to:
It has comprehensive user documentation, is pleasing to the eye, and is a solid all-rounder for Windows users. Cost: PartitionGuru is free but the latest version has been renamed DiskGenius which comes in Free, Standard, and Professional editions:
Stellar Wipe Mac (MacOS)The paid version of Stellar Wipe Mac provides all the features you need to securely erase data from external storage devices on your Mac computer. It also:
It is a one-size-fits-all option for Mac users. Cost:
MiniTool Drive Wipe (Windows)MiniTool Drive Wipe is a surprisingly effective data eraser for its size. Its developers guarantee that if you use the DoD 5220.28-STD wipe method, the data cannot be recovered by any data recovery solutions. Unfortunately, you can only erase a drive or partition, not individual files. The advantage of using this tool is reliable support if you run into trouble. Cost:
AweEraser (MacOS and Windows)Magoshare offers separate AweEraser apps for MacOS and Windows. These allow you to permanently and safely erase data from your laptop or desktop computer, and from external devices like:
The company claims military- and government-level data erasure standards. AweEraser offers three data erasure modes to clean your system hard drive or external device:
The apps include other useful utilities to manage your data:
Cost:
Super Eraser (MacOS and Windows)The creator of Super Eraser, Do Your Data, offers a few options for business and personal use to erase your data for MacOS or Windows. It claims to be able to erase data from crashed hard drives and inaccessible devices. The website has a range of tutorials to help you erase data using different operating systems. The app provides three data erasure modes to clean your system hard drive or external device:
Cost:
Mac Washing Machine Secure X9 (MacOS)Top of the range, this app has lots of bells and whistles. The package includes:
It is a good all-rounder for Mac data management, and can help you organize your Dock and remove redundant files, as well as secure your computer. Cost:
WipeDrive (Windows, MacOS, Linux)WipeDrive by White Canyon ensures data on your HDD or external storage devices is completely erased and unrecoverable. It is compatible with:
Its maker claims it’s the only software in the world that meets the NIAP EAL4+ certification, which means it complies with most national and international wiping standards. There is no annual subscription and White Canyon offers free support. Cost:
Tips to keep external storage more secureAside from knowing how to securely erase external storage devices, you can keep your information more secure by following these tips:
Image credit: CC0, Les Hill – Pexels.com What is the practice of purposely permanently and irretrievably removing or destroying the data stored on a data storage device?What is the practice of purposely, permanently, irretrievably removing or destroying the data stored on a data storage device? Data Sanitation.
What correctly defines non repudiation?Non-repudiation is the assurance that someone cannot deny the validity of something. Non-repudiation is a legal concept that is widely used in information security and refers to a service, which provides proof of the origin of data and the integrity of the data.
Which compliance regulation is concerned with securing information in agencies of the federal government?Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).
Signed into law in 2002, FISMA requires federal agencies to conduct annual reviews of information security programs.
Which scenario is often related to synchronization errors in software code where malicious users can gain unauthorized access to a system or application?Which scenario is often related to synchronization errors in software code where malicious users can gain unauthorized access to a system or application? 1.) SQL Injection.
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