On 11 Jul 2007 14:58:50 GMT in <4694f02a$0$89003$dbd4f001@news.wanadoo.nl> Joachim Schipper <jdNoOtSPAMschipper@math.uu.nl> wrote:
> Ryoko <ryoko-nsp-@talk21.com> wrote:
>> I was looking at wiping a disk and found the following:
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/storage/?p=129
>>
>> in particular Secure Erase
>> http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/Hughes/SecureErase.html
>>
>> Which talks about using a function built into modern drives.
>>
>> from the readme:
>> "It offers the option to run the drive internal secure erase command,
>> security erase unit, based on the ATA specification by the T13 technical
>> committee."
>>
>> Is this function available via OpenBSD?
>
> No. Unless you have very rich and persistent enemies, just zeroing the
> drive works fine; if you do have such enemies, consider just dd'ing from
> /dev/arandom a couple of times. Or, better yet,physically distructing
> the drive as suggested before.

If you think you'll end up wiping a drive by zeroing or random data
wipe it with random data a few times before putting the real data on for
the first time.


--
Chris Dukes
< elfick> willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up
to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat