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Bug#392480: debian-installer: add support for "cleaning" hard drives



Paul Menzel <pm.debian@googlemail.com> writes:

> Am Mittwoch, den 11.03.2009, 14:53 +0100 schrieb Goswin von Brederlow:
>> Paul Menzel <pm.debian@googlemail.com> writes:
>> 
>> > Am Mittwoch, den 11.03.2009, 11:08 +0100 schrieb Goswin von Brederlow:
>> >> Matt Taggart <taggart@debian.org> writes:
>> >> 
>> >> >> Well this assumption (to encrypt the disc afterward) is not necessarily
>> >> >> valid. A company is giving away computers to a school or for use for
>> >> >> children, where no encryption is needed. They require you to wipe the
>> >> >> drive. (Ok, they should do it themselves to be on the safe side of
>> >> >> things, but in reality things are different.)
>> >> >
>> >> > BTW something like "Dan's Boot and Nuke" is an option for this case too. 
>> >> > But like I said in a previous mail it would be convenient if d-i could do 
>> >> > this as I usually have d-i disks laying around :)
>> >> 
>> >> Switch to the second console.
>> >> 
>> >> cat </dev/null >/dev/sda
>> >> 
>> >> Go get lunch.
>> >
>> > Well that is not sufficient. Doing this the date can still be
>> > reconstructed.
>> 
>> There have been multiple challenges to data reconstructing firms to
>> actualy demonstrate they can reconstruct a disk after a single
>> overwrite. None of them have been answered ttbom. So your claim
>> remains theoretical.
>
> Interesting. Good to hear that, to be more sceptical towards the
> propaganda by the recovery companies.
>
> It would be interesting if you could post the link to this information.

I think the last one was on slashdot last year.

> Strangely that governments have those standards to erase discs several
> times.

- Theoretically you can get information back after a single overwrite. 
- There is a difference between possible and practical/affordable.
- The companies claim they can do it.
- Them not taking up the challenge does not proove they can't do
  it. But it makes me wonder why NONE have tried to grab the publicity
  winning such a challenge would bring.

MfG
        Goswin



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