Computer Software Hardware - 3

Hard Drive Erase

Simple deletion of files from one’s computer does not eliminate the file entirely. The data information for the easy relocation of the file is just hidden and the reference information is hidden from view. Deletion does not assure that the file you deleted is lost from the hard drive. In fact, the hard drive just stores these deleted files and are considered unused files. The only solution to completely erasing the file and all its data is to perform a strict hard drive erase.

There are many reasons why people would want to erase the contents of their hard drive. Some want to do it because of security purposes. Common reasons for security include the individual’s protection from identity theft, the company’s security against piracy of important data, and other protection related instances when the data from the hard drive are to be erased from. Deletion of this files from the computer does not erase the files and the information entirely, The data is still stored in the hard drive. Thus, any sensitive information stored in the hard drive can be accessed for abuse by others when the hard drive is disposed of.

Any file deleted from the computer is still stored in the hard drive and can thus be data mined. The only solution to securing the information in the hard drive is to avail of programs which ensures a complete hard drive erasure, to reformat the hard drive and all its contents, or to destroy the hard drive in all its entirety.