As you probably know, Fdisk does not erase any data on the surface of the hard disk. It simply recreates the basic structure of the file system. The File Allocation Table (FAT) would be overwritten.
I too, thought for a long time that standard fonctions like formatting or overwriting with new data would definitely and permanently destroy the previous data. That notion comes naturally to IT people like us, as it is consistent with our experience. After all, 2 objects cannot occupy the same space, right? But the truth relies on the physical properties of the magnetic media. It seems it is possible to find the magnetic remains of old data, around or mixed with the new data. So, they both cohabit in the same narrow confine. The way to destroy data is then to modify several times the magnetic patterns on the disk surface to make (pretty?) sure the old data cannot be recovered. Pierre Savignac, PMP Consultant, IT Security Project Manager Emergex Consulting * http://www.emergex.com * 866-8RESULT * 514-765-3333 > -----Original Message----- > From: Bassam ALHUSSEIN [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 27 mars 2002 15:38 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Dan Williamson > Subject: Re: Disk Wiping Utilities > > I am not sure but I thought that a format then fdisk would do the job > ....wouldn't it ??? > > correct me guys ..plz > > Bisso > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dan Williamson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 12:14 AM > Subject: Disk Wiping Utilities > > > I am looking for a good utility to erase all hard drives > > in a machine to a DOD standard. I would prefer a > > FREE utility as this is a government agency and I try > > to keep costs down. > > > > I have read that Norton Wipeinfo, BCWipe and > > several other programs wipe only the known > > partitions. I need a tool that will wipe EVERYTHING ! > > > > TIA > > Dan
