How to Securely Erase a Hard Drive?

There can be many reasons for wanting to erase a hard drive. For instance, if the drive is infected or you want to sell it, then it is best to wipe out its data. Well, even though formatting a hard drive may seem daunting, the process is not too complicated. Let’s check out the ways to safely erase a hard drive.

Format a Hard Disk in Windows

If you want to format a hard disk in Windows, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

• First of all, go to Windows Explorer & choose the hard drive.
• Then you should right-click on hard drive & choose Format option.
• Choose NTFS as the file system & Quick format as the mode.
• Thereafter you have to click on start to begin the format process.

Format a Hard Disk in Mac OS

You can format a hard disk on Mac OS. Follow the instructions given below.

• Get started by going to the Applications & Utilities then choose the “Disk Utility” option.
• Then you should go to the left menu & choose the drive.
• Thereafter you have to navigate to the top menu & choose the Erase option.
• Later, input the name, format & scheme.
• Now, choose the Erase option.

Using the Operating System to Erase a Hard Drive on Windows Securely

If you want to use the operating system to erase a hard disk on Windows securely, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

• To get started, launch a CMD screen as an administrator.
• Input the “format C:/fs:ntfs/p:]” & hit the Enter key.
• If you view the warning, enter “Y” to verify.

Using the Operating System to Securely Erase a Hard Drive on Windows

You need to use the operating system to erase a hard drive on Mac OS securely. Follow the instructions given below.

• To begin with, input the name, format and scheme.
• When you give the drive name, choose Security Options.
• Navigate to the pop-up screen and move the Security Options slider to Most Secure.
• Now, choose OK.

Using DBAN to Erase a Hard Drive Securely

If you want to use DBAN to erase a hard drive securely, then you need to follow the instructions given below.

• First & foremost, you should backup whichever data you would not like to erase.
• You have to download & install DBAN to a DVD or USB drive.
• Then you should unlink any another hard drive which you would not like to erase.
• Boot the computer from the USB drive or DVD.
• Go to the DBAN window & press Enter to load into interactive mode.
• Navigate to the next screen by pressing space & choose the drive.
• You have to check if you have the correct drive.
• To start the process, hit on F10.
• You have to wait for the black pass screen.
• Disconnect the DBAN media, reconnect the hard drives & restart the system.

Carl Smith is a self-professed security expert; he has been making the people aware of the security threats. His passion is to write about Cyber security, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. He writes for Norton security products at norton.com/setup.

Source : Hard Drive