220-802 · Question #505
Which of the following methods is BEST used to ensure that data on a hard drive cannot be recovered?
The correct answer is B. Use a degaussing tool. Degaussing exposes magnetic media to a powerful magnetic field that randomizes the magnetic domains on the platters, completely and permanently destroying all stored data. This makes recovery impossible. Overwriting (A) can be effective but may leave traces recoverable with…
Question
Which of the following methods is BEST used to ensure that data on a hard drive cannot be recovered?
Options
- AOverwrite the drive
- BUse a degaussing tool
- CRepartition the drive
- DFormat the drive
How the community answered
(43 responses)- A2% (1)
- B88% (38)
- C7% (3)
- D2% (1)
Explanation
Degaussing exposes magnetic media to a powerful magnetic field that randomizes the magnetic domains on the platters, completely and permanently destroying all stored data. This makes recovery impossible. Overwriting (A) can be effective but may leave traces recoverable with forensic tools, especially on older drives. Repartitioning (C) only modifies partition table metadata - the underlying data remains intact. Formatting (D) similarly removes the file system index but does not erase the actual data; recovery software can easily retrieve it. For guaranteed, irreversible data destruction, degaussing is the gold standard.
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