2011-01-19, 06:03 PM
Most companies use low-level formatting tools like Active KillDisk Pro or the native Drive's SCSI Tools to completely erase the hard drives before disposal or recycling. One of the most thorough but time consuming wipes is the 35-pass Gutmann erase mode.
However, remember there are things also to be considered...
Things like Cookies, ActiveX Controls, and JavaScript from unlicensed and unauthorized sources can actually leak information back to a server or be packing a malware payload that could compromise your system. These attacks often target the HOSTS file to redirect people to fake servers and falsified websites.
This is why I've always used a tool like Spybot Search and Destroy to not only secure the HOSTS file and block out known malicious websites, but have an active scanner running in the background while the web browser is in use. Oddly even though MalwareBytes offers active scanning and Site Blocking, it doesn't secure the HOSTS file. Because most attacks now are Malware based and not viral based, people tend to think they are protected by a simple Anti-Virus.
This is also why people tell you to use web browsers that are more secure like FireFox. IE has always used ActiveX Controls and it's a major security flaw no matter how many revisions and talks of added security are done. ActiveX allows any software from a website that uses ActiveX to have full access to your system resources and often can carry dangerous payloads of malware. JavaScript isn't flawless as well, but it can be sandboxed to limit the compromised amount of the system down to the sandbox.
So realistically you may have a problem and not realize it until after the hack has been done.
One good tool I'd recommend for anyone...
If you need to access a website with password usage... get FireFox and use it's Private Browsing mode. Your passwords, cookies, and other temporary files will be deleted after you close the browser. You also should run tools like CCleaner on a weekly basis to delete these files as well using it's Secure wipe mode.
And if you use Spybot S&D, update it daily and keep it fully Immunized. Update your Anti-Virus software daily too.
However, remember there are things also to be considered...
Things like Cookies, ActiveX Controls, and JavaScript from unlicensed and unauthorized sources can actually leak information back to a server or be packing a malware payload that could compromise your system. These attacks often target the HOSTS file to redirect people to fake servers and falsified websites.
This is why I've always used a tool like Spybot Search and Destroy to not only secure the HOSTS file and block out known malicious websites, but have an active scanner running in the background while the web browser is in use. Oddly even though MalwareBytes offers active scanning and Site Blocking, it doesn't secure the HOSTS file. Because most attacks now are Malware based and not viral based, people tend to think they are protected by a simple Anti-Virus.
This is also why people tell you to use web browsers that are more secure like FireFox. IE has always used ActiveX Controls and it's a major security flaw no matter how many revisions and talks of added security are done. ActiveX allows any software from a website that uses ActiveX to have full access to your system resources and often can carry dangerous payloads of malware. JavaScript isn't flawless as well, but it can be sandboxed to limit the compromised amount of the system down to the sandbox.
So realistically you may have a problem and not realize it until after the hack has been done.
One good tool I'd recommend for anyone...
If you need to access a website with password usage... get FireFox and use it's Private Browsing mode. Your passwords, cookies, and other temporary files will be deleted after you close the browser. You also should run tools like CCleaner on a weekly basis to delete these files as well using it's Secure wipe mode.
And if you use Spybot S&D, update it daily and keep it fully Immunized. Update your Anti-Virus software daily too.