How to Destroy an old Hard Drive

I was told get a drill and put a hole in the middle.
Ask someone to help with this if you don't have one.
Just one idea.

Sledgehammer

I think we put ours into a plastic bag, and whacked it, hard, with a big hammer.

Picked it up in tongs and held it over a gas burner until it began to shrivel.

I have also put magnets on it and left them on overnight.

I have also put magnets on it and left them on overnight.

Oh, interesting!

It sounds easier than smashing it with a sledgehammer!

I also magnetised one and then buried it deep in the wild part of the garden. Maybe some metal detectorist will find it and be puzzled a century or so hence.

I bashed one up with a sledgehammer but I wasn't happy with the result so then I threw it on a garden bonfire. After that, I buried it in the garden.

No half measures

As an IT professional, and having had a lot of experience with security of systems, data and hardware I'm going to come at this from the - "well it depends what sort of 'old hard drive' you have" position.

If it's magnetic it needs to be degaussed, if it is a solid state (SSD) drive - as in high end devices there are software tools that can do the job, but it depends on the computer and SSD maker. Some suggestions are described in the security bible (ISO27001), but ....

From experience I would advocate the sledgehammer route in every case, before obviously complying with the WEEE Directive and take it the local recycling centre or tip.

(The "magnets overnight" will not do the job securely I'm afraid - stick with the hammer approach.)

These are a couple of UK Government links that might be of interest:

www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/secure-sanitisation-storage-media

www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/products-services/all-products-services-categories?productType=Data%20sanitisation

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will have to buy/borrow a sledge hammer.

My SIL took a hammer to it for me.

And a big log to put it on whilst you smash it up Sparklefizz

I deliberately left my old computer out behind the garage where it got rained on. When I next saw it it was put in the bin rather the worse for wear.

I was going to suggest leaving it in water for a day or two. Would that do the trick 'railman or would it spring back to life when it dried off?

I have a hard drive and some memory sticks I need to smash. I keep trying to muster the courage to go outside with a hammer, but if water will do it that would be much easier.

I've also considered buying a fire pit and burning them. Might also be useful for old diaries and letters, of which I have a lot.

Or put it in bleach? Would that do the job?

Water will not get rid of the information on it. I have worked in computers a long time and have software to completely wipe a disc but if it is going to be thrown away I always use the large hammer approach. The older 3.5 inch ones are quite strong and do need several good hefty hits before they bend and break.

Always the hammer …..repeatedly.

I might be a bit thick, but why do you need to destroy them before disposing of? Sorry if it's a daft question - I would have just put it in the bin

Dottygran59

I might be a bit thick, but why do you need to destroy them before disposing of? Sorry if it's a daft question - I would have just put it in the bin

I was thinking of identity theft amongst other things. It contains all my personal information, photos, etc.

Ah right - yes, that makes sense

Dottygran59

I might be a bit thick, but why do you need to destroy them before disposing of? Sorry if it's a daft question - I would have just put it in the bin

Most hard drives also contain passwords, credit card details if you have ever bought anything online, as well as personal photos, addresses, letters, emails sent and received, it’s all hidden away in there somewhere, even when you delete it, it’s still there lurking………

Drive over them repeatedly?

If you are a weakling, hand it and a sledgehammer to a disgruntled teenager and stand well back.

Elegran

If you are a weakling, hand it and a sledgehammer to a disgruntled teenager and stand well back.

????