#How to wipe a laptop clean on ubuntu how to
#How to wipe a laptop clean on ubuntu mac os x

Make recovering data from these devices more difficult. It overwrites hardĭisks, files, and other devices with repeating patterns intended to You can use disk scrubbing program such as scrub. You can use wipe command to delete any file including disks: # wipe -D /path/to/file.doc # shred -v -random-source=/dev/urandom -n1 /dev/sda In this example use shred and /dev/urandom as the source of randomĭata: # shred -v -random-source=/dev/urandom -n1 /dev/DISK/TO/DELETE Multiple passes are not useful unless your hard disk uses 1980s technology. Note: Comment from shred -n 5 by shred -n 1 or by cat /dev/zero.

The command is same for IDE hard disk hda (PC/Windows first hard diskĬonnected to IDE) : # shred -n 5 -vz /dev/hda z : Add a final overwrite with zeros to hide shredding. Where, -n 5: Overwrite 5 times instead of the default (25 times). For example, if your hardĭrive named as /dev/sda, then type the following command: # shred -n 5 -vz /dev/sda However, the sameĬommand can be used to erase hard disk. Securely, first overwriting it to hide its contents. Shred originally designed to delete file securely.

#How to wipe a laptop clean on ubuntu mac os x

YouĬan now wipe any disk including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X or Unix-like Next, burn a live cd and boot your laptop or desktop from live CD. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!Įrase disk permanently using a live Linux cdįirst, download a knoppix Live Linux CD or SystemRescueCd Loss, so please be careful with disk names. No circumstances we can be help responsible for total or partial data Wrong drive or partition target going to result into data loss. Warning: Check that the correct drive or partition has been targeted. However, I recommend using shred command or wipe command or Overwrite (“wipe” or “shred”) the data with several defined patterns.įor erasing hard disk permanently, you can use the standard ddĬommand. Make recovering of your sensitive data nearly impossible is to The contents of the file remains on your hard disk. Recycle bin in WINDOWS) the operating system does NOT delete the file, When youĭelete a file using the default commands of the operating system (forĮxample “rm” in Linux/BSD/MacOS/UNIX or “del” in DOS or emptying the The secure removal of data is not as easy as you may think.

#How to wipe a laptop clean on ubuntu how to

This nixCraft post explain how to erase hard disk