The only thing that I would add is that total physical destruction works real, real well and is preferred if you don't plan on using it again. A furnace works really well and has other uses. (Plastic burns good)
Jim Dan Darden wrote: > > I have never seen the process done, however have heard similar statements. > I am told the tool that is used is known as a magnetic microscope. The > theory behind this is that a bit on a disk takes up much more space than a > single atom of magnetic material does. The fact that the magnetic material > consists of layer upon layer of macro-atomic MOS-type material allows the > microsocope to zoom in on a particular layer. > > AS you can image, the device by nature would be super-sensitive, and I'm > sure somewhat error prone, but with the right calibration and mechanics > should be in theory quite reliable over time. > > I do not have any information as to a brand name of device, but perhaps I > have given you some information to start with. Tools such as Norton's GW > (government write) have been made to eliminate a forensic scientists ability > to recover the data. The GW tools can write a disk 100+ times over with a > single character, thus erasing all traces of residual disk write activity. > > Also, over time, environmental factors can cause magnetic molecules to shift > on their own, which is partly the cause of some errors on hard disks which > have remained inactive over very long periods. Any one else have any > rebuttals or comments to add? If so I would appreciate it. Hope I am not > totally out in the blue here, but this is just what I have heard and picked > up over the years on the topic. I would love as I am sure Dave would also, > to be able to see one of these machines in action. > > Sincerely, > Dan Darden. > > =========================================== > Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] for your security > questions and information. > > Hoax Info: http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org > > =========================================== > "Everyday I beat my own personal record for > number of consecutive days I've stayed > alive" -- Author Unknown > =========================================== > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Adams [mailto:dadams@;johncrowley.co.uk] > Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 4:06 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Interesting One > > Greetings Folks, > > I had an interesting conversation today with someone from FAST > (Federation > Against Software Theft) They pretend not to be a snitch wing of the BSA. > Anyway, to get to the point, the guy that came to see me said that their > forensics guys could read data off a hard drive that had been written > over > up to thirty times. I find this very hard to believe and told him I > thought > he was mistaken but the guy was adamant that it could be done. My > question > is, does anyone have any views on this, or, can anyone point me to a > source > of information where I can get the facts on exactly how much data can be > retrieved off a hard drive and under what conditions etc etc. > > Thanks > > Dave Adams > > This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the > use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may > contain information that is confidential, subject to copyright or > constitutes a trade secret. If you are not the intended recipient > you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or > distribution of this message, or files associated with this message, > is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, > please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting > it from your computer. Messages sent to and from > John Crowley (Maidstone) Ltd may be monitored. > > Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free > as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive > late or incomplete, or contain viruses. Therefore, we do not accept > responsibility for any errors or omissions that are present in this > message, or any attachment, that have arisen as a result of e-mail > transmission. If verification is required, please request a hard-copy > version. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of John Crowley (Maidstone) Ltd. -- James W. Meritt CISSP, CISA Booz | Allen | Hamilton phone: (410) 684-6566
