For some reason, a lot of IT folks love to try some pretty wacky stuff for themselves. The area of data destruction is no exception.
Slideshow: Take a closer look at creative methods used by IT workers
Our research has unearthed a few methods suggested or used by your peers to destroy such storage media as hard disks, tapes and CDs. Some of these methods are entertaining, but the obvious caveats apply to others: They involve potentially dangerous or harmful substances and activities that are likely to raise the hackles of hard-working OSHA, HazMat or EPA personnel. (Some even may be downright illegal in your jurisdiction.)
Bash it.
Whether for its adrenalin rush or the mere simplicity of the solution, many sources like the idea of wielding a sledgehammer on the hard disk they want to destroy. The goal is to smash the heads into the disk platter, which probably will break the mechanism, letting them get at the data. Once the hard disk is out of the computer (an important first step), smacking it with a sledgehammer on the large side of the drive about four or five times should do the trick. An automated device that can crush the drive is the Hard Disk Crusher from EDR Solutions.
Heat it.
In his blog on the “Ten Commandments of Data Destruction,” security expert Robert J. Hansen suggests heating the drive past the Curie point, the temperature at which metal loses its magnetic properties.
Smelt it.
Some IT folks with access to a kiln (or a smelting operation), suggest melting hard disk drives down to slag.
Microwave it.
Jesse Kornblum, a computer forensics researcher with ManTech SMA, says one way to destroy CDs is to put one or two (not more) in the microwave for two seconds. “It may make a lot of sparks and stink for about five minutes,” he cautions. Proceed with caution here: Kornblum assumes no responsibility for potential damage to the microwave.
Shred it.
Shredding such storage media as tapes, hard drives, CDs and cell phones can be performed by Data Killers or other third-party service providers. It’s possibly not as exciting as melting or bashing it yourself, but you may be able to make some cool techno-artwork out of the shredded particulate that remains (if you request a sample before it goes to the smelter or metal recycler).
Dismantle and Demagnetize It. ZATZ Publishing’s David Gewirtz decided to take matters into his own hands when it came time to dispose of old drives after the company moved to a new location. He took them apart piece by piece, then used their own magnets to demagnetize the disk platters.
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