What's a free program that will erase my hard drive in the event someone tries to access my data?

[Mikey]

I have a dedicated hard drive with very important data that I can not have leaked out. In the event someone tries to access my information, what program can I use that will simple start scrambling the data in my hard drive via a few simple steps? I read of a program like this in one of my old PC magazines, but I'm sure that issue's been trashed a long time ago. Thanks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If the data is really that important it might be best to keep it on a separate computer that has absolutely no network connections, not even to your local network.

If not that, are you concerned with remote access or with someone gaining physical access?

Some form of encryption would work, as long as it is set to always require you to supply passwords each time a file is accessed.

 

[GeekDrew]

I recently heard that there is some company that is now manufacturing hard drives with chemicals in them that will destroy all data within something like 1 second, if they're triggered to do so. Google it?

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
I recently heard that there is some company that is now manufacturing hard drives with chemicals in them that will destroy all data within something like 1 second, if they're triggered to do so. Google it?

What is this, Mission Impossible?

Just secure your data (ie, keep it off a network) and you're fine. If you're really worried, load it in a *nix distro and encrypt the hard drive.

 

[tfinch2]

Sci-Fi anyone?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Put it on a removable hard drive or USB drive and lock it up when you do not need it.

Physical security of drive itself when not in use and disconnect the system from network when in use.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

EFS

- M4H

 

[MoobyTheGoldenCalf]

Originally posted by: Mikey
I have a dedicated hard drive with loads of porn that I can not have my mother/girlfriend/wife see. In the event mother/girlfriend/wife tries to access my porn, what program can I use that will simple start scrambling the data in my hard drive via a few simple steps? I read of a program like this in one of my old Maxim magazines, but I'm sure that issue's been trashed a long time ago. Thanks.

Fixed that for you...

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: LoKe

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
I recently heard that there is some company that is now manufacturing hard drives with chemicals in them that will destroy all data within something like 1 second, if they're triggered to do so. Google it?

What is this, Mission Impossible?

Just secure your data (ie, keep it off a network) and you're fine. If you're really worried, load it in a *nix distro and encrypt the hard drive.

Nah, it was actually some real-life device I read about, tho I can't remember where it was I read it.

Why bother with *nix? Encryption can be done in win32...

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf

Originally posted by: Mikey
I have a dedicated hard drive with loads of porn that I can not have my mother/girlfriend/wife see. In the event mother/girlfriend/wife tries to access my porn, what program can I use that will simple start scrambling the data in my hard drive via a few simple steps? I read of a program like this in one of my old Maxim magazines, but I'm sure that issue's been trashed a long time ago. Thanks.

Fixed that for you...

LOL

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf

Originally posted by: Mikey
I have a dedicated hard drive with loads of porn that I can not have my mother/girlfriend/wife see. In the event mother/girlfriend/wife tries to access my porn, what program can I use that will simple start scrambling the data in my hard drive via a few simple steps? I read of a program like this in one of my old Maxim magazines, but I'm sure that issue's been trashed a long time ago. Thanks.

Fixed that for you...

LOL

LMFAO. MoobyTheGoldenCalf for Elite! :beer:

 

[Jeff7]

That'd suck though if it'd go off because you couldn't remember the password, or mistyped it, or just because of a bug in the program. The other problem is, depending on the size of the files that are to be protected or destroyed, it'd probably take too long to wipe the data before a decent portion of it was offloaded to a USB thumbdrive.

I too suggest Windows' Encrypting File System, as M4H suggested. If no one else has the key, their best bet is to wait until quantum computers go mainstream. One of those would be needed to decrypt the data in less than a few thousand years (or with a few thousand computers).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Trucrypt + PGP.

 

[ynotravid]

Originally posted by: MoobyTheGoldenCalf

Originally posted by: Mikey
I have a dedicated hard drive with loads of porn that I can not have my mother/girlfriend/wife see. In the event mother/girlfriend/wife tries to access my porn, what program can I use that will simple start scrambling the data in my hard drive via a few simple steps? I read of a program like this in one of my old Maxim magazines, but I'm sure that issue's been trashed a long time ago. Thanks.

Fixed that for you...

lol Busted.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Put it on a removable hard drive or USB drive and lock it up when you do not need it. Physical security of drive itself when not in use and disconnect the system from network when in use.

That's what I do. I have a password/fingerprint acess to an external USB flash memory drive that I keep all my sensitive data on. That little flash drive stays on my person - especially when I am travelling. It can also be encrypted.

 

[OSX]

thermite.exe

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: OSX
thermite.exe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermite

Go and find illegal thermite grenade.

Now,
1.) Pull pin
2.) Throw in case
3.) Run like hell and call FD

 

[Farmer]

I don't think there is a program that can instantaneously rewrite your hard drive. There are things like reformatting, or DBAN, but those take a while and require user-activation. I have no idea how sensitive the data your talking about is.

lol@Mooby

 

[nova2]

if the data isn't too large just use gnupg (if want a GUI for it, try winPT)
use at least 2048 bit encryption. you may want to use the DSA algorithm.

if you want all the encrypted files concealed inside an archive that you can mount to a drive letter, try truecrypt (free, with source).

now if for any reason, erasing the data fails, at least it will be 2048 bit encrypted *with a strong password*.

 

[iamaelephant]

The data is so sensitive that you're looking for a free solution?