From owner-freebsd-questions Thu Nov 18 12:52:58 1999 Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from alcanet.com.au (border.alcanet.com.au [203.62.196.10]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id D456B14EBF; Thu, 18 Nov 1999 12:52:46 -0800 (PST) (envelope-from jeremyp@gsmx07.alcatel.com.au) Received: by border.alcanet.com.au id <40354>; Fri, 19 Nov 1999 07:46:04 +1100 Content-return: prohibited Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 07:52:11 +1100 From: Peter Jeremy Subject: Re: secure filesystem wiping In-reply-to: <3833923C.10A7208F@netquick.net> To: TrouBle Cc: security@FreeBSD.ORG, questions@FreeBSD.ORG Reply-To: peter.jeremy@alcatel.com.au Message-Id: <99Nov19.074604est.40354@border.alcanet.com.au> MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Mutt 1.0pre3i Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii References: <3833923C.10A7208F@netquick.net> Sender: owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Precedence: bulk X-Loop: FreeBSD.ORG On 1999-Nov-18 16:44:28 +1100, TrouBle wrote: >obliterate only wipes the one file you specify.. i want to wipe all the >free space on the disk, without damaging good intact files on it, This isn't technically possible. You can't securely wipe data from a disk using the disks own R/W head/electronics (which is the only way to preserve intact files). I'd suggest the following: 1) Copy wanted files to another disk. 2) Wipe unwanted files off original disk using one of the following: a) Raise temperature of entire disk drive to >>1000 degrees, stir well and (optionally) add plenty of oxygen. Cool and pulverise. b) Open drive housing and gently manicure each platter with an angle grinder. > linux >has a progrtam called wipe that does this, Not securely. >> The thread was "Secure deletion". There is a handy prog in Message-ID >> <378A58EA.ACF1412F@softweyr.com> You can specify a disk partition instead of a file if you want. Peter To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message