REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - best way to destroy a hard-disk drive

godwin · 01-05-2014, 11:51 AM

Smashing things is inelegant, also you never know if people are crazy enough to pick up the pieces eg NSA. Since most of the time the same data is stored on multiple locations you can never be sure if random drilling etc would work either. I assume by the time you realise you need to destroy things, chances are someone would want the info.

You have to understand the magnetic element on the platter are sprayed on the platter. Any strong acid will melt it off. Once the magnetic coating is off, there is no way to recover, even if they get the platters, since the magnetic patterns are stored by location.

The absolute best and easy way: Go to home depot and get some strong acid from the chemical aisle, HCl, or H2SO4. Get a strong tub. Take out the platters of the harddrive, put pour the acid into the tub about 1" depth, then gently put the platter into the tub with tongs. After the bubbling has stopped, turn on the cold tap and gently pour the content into the sink to rinse. You will get some pretty artsy pieces to give to people afterwards. or hang them out in your yard to scare away birds.

Super paranoid, take out the controller board which store the sector info. Most of the time combustion of just paper is not high enough, you can bits of pieces which are just charred but not burnt.

If you burn paper add some powdered aluminum or magnesium to the mix.

01-05-2014, 11:51 AM	#22
godwin 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1 Posts: 6,176 Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts	Smashing things is inelegant, also you never know if people are crazy enough to pick up the pieces eg NSA. Since most of the time the same data is stored on multiple locations you can never be sure if random drilling etc would work either. I assume by the time you realise you need to destroy things, chances are someone would want the info. You have to understand the magnetic element on the platter are sprayed on the platter. Any strong acid will melt it off. Once the magnetic coating is off, there is no way to recover, even if they get the platters, since the magnetic patterns are stored by location. The absolute best and easy way: Go to home depot and get some strong acid from the chemical aisle, HCl, or H2SO4. Get a strong tub. Take out the platters of the harddrive, put pour the acid into the tub about 1" depth, then gently put the platter into the tub with tongs. After the bubbling has stopped, turn on the cold tap and gently pour the content into the sink to rinse. You will get some pretty artsy pieces to give to people afterwards. or hang them out in your yard to scare away birds. Super paranoid, take out the controller board which store the sector info. Most of the time combustion of just paper is not high enough, you can bits of pieces which are just charred but not burnt. If you burn paper add some powdered aluminum or magnesium to the mix. Last edited by godwin; 01-05-2014 at 08:09 PM. Reason: Give some safety tips.