Data Protection

jp_bl_68 · 24 May 2011 at 17:53

My mother was given a laptop by her employer. Soon she will have to return it and she's worried that some personal information might be left on the hard drive.

In the past when I've had concerns about data protection I've zeroed my drives. This required the OS install DVD.

It may prove difficult to obtain the install disc from my mother's employer. Is there any way to securely delete any personal information without this disc?

tntcoder · 24 May 2011 at 17:58

dban is the best way, if you want to leave the OS in tact there's no way to be sure you've got it all

but you can do a pretty good job

Best bet is a userspace secure delete application, I recommend SDelete from sysinternals: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897443

jp_bl_68 · 24 May 2011 at 18:10

Thank you.

nmungur · 24 May 2011 at 18:59

The other suggestion from me, http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=901A9B95-6063-4462-8150-360394E98E1E

UnworthyBean · 24 May 2011 at 19:42

If you're worried about data that needs deleting, then there isn't any way to be really sure.

If you're worried about data that you've deleted, but needs a secure erase then ccleaner has a wipe free space function that should do it.

Other than that, You could download an iso and reinstall it? Assuming you have the coa somewhere on the laptop or can find it out.

apatia77 · 25 May 2011 at 12:24

It's very unlikely that her employer would try to use any sort of recovery method to recover any deleted files. Why on earth would they waste resources to do it.

If you have a super sensitive data then don't keep it on non personal laptops.