Tag Archives: security
How to Erase Hard Drive Data with Active@ KillDisk
Computers have become an important and everyday feature of most people’s lives. We use them for communication, work, entertainment and a whole lot more. Many people share sensitive information over the Internet or store personal data on their computers for a wide variety of reasons. In fact, the average personal computer contains a lot of data that the owner probably wouldn’t want anyone else to set eyes on, such as Internet banking details, passwords and other personal or financial information. Because of this, it is essential to securely erase the contents of a drive before it ends up in someone else’s hands such as if, for example, you are planning to sell or donate the computer. If you want to know how to erase hard drive data properly, then Active@ KillDisk has the solution.
When people either sell or donate their computer or hard drive, they often assume that simply formatting it or using the recovery CD which came with the machine is enough to permanently delete any personal data stored on it. Unfortunately, however this is not the case. Data which is deleted simply by formatting and repartitioning the disk or emptying the Recycle Bin is simply not enough by itself. All this does is mark the space previously occupied by the data as free space. Indeed, other data can then overwrite it but until this eventually happens, the data is still recoverable using data recovery software. Fortunately, Active@ KillDisk can overcome this potential major security issue by showing you how to erase hard drive data properly.
Active@ KillDisk supports any type of hard drive regardless of which operating system it is running. In fact, it does not rely on the operating system installed at all, since it runs off its own bootable disk and is OS-independent entirely. It is a small but powerful utility which is easy to use thanks to its well-explained and intuitive features. No special knowledge or experience is required to use the software to its fullest, so there is no need for amateurs to worry either. When you run Active@ KillDisk, all data on the hard drive is permanently, completely deleted so that it is completely unrecoverable, regardless of which method anyone tries to use to recover the deleted data.
Active@ KillDisk securely overwrites the entire hard disk with zeros making data completely disappear. The process can take some time, especially on larger hard disks, but it takes advantage of the power of your available hardware to get the job done as quickly as possible without compromising on security. The software meets seventeen different IT security standards used in many countries all over the world so you can be sure of its effectiveness. Running the program is straightforward and all instructions are provided. When you boot up from the CD you burn containing the software, it will present you with a table of all partitions and hard disks on your computer, including hidden ones. The software will then walk you through the rest of the process. Learn more at how-to-erase-hard-drive.com.
Effective Ways to Optimize Security in it
Chances are your computer network or PC has been attacked at some point or another. Perhaps a worm caused your system to slow down severely, a virus erased your entire hard drive, or, malware plagued your registry and browser, leaving you helpless and frustrated. What you probably learned from these attacks was how or where to find a quick-fix while your overall security remained unchanged. What you may not know is that there are a few fundamental practices in relation to the hardware, software and people that can help to improve or optimize the safety level of your computer network and personal system. These practices or ways are sound, easy to implement and highly effective.
* On the Hardware/Software Side
While they may appear relatively basic at the onset, some practical measures should be taken to not just establish and maintain but also to increase ongoing security to computer hardware and software. Failure to adhere to these measures or ways of implementing security can potentially lead to disaster. Of course, you can further add to or enhance these measures depending on your particular situationsuch as budget restraints, time-frame, etc.
Specifically, you will want to:
– Upgrade or replace: Older hardware can malfunction and become unstable; older software can have security holes and vulnerabilities or could fail to properly integrate with newer technologies.
– Patch up and harden: Whether its a domain controller or your home PC, install anti-virus software, configure a firewall, update the OS using service packs and remove unnecessary services.
– Limit access: Keep the system away from prying eyes and unauthorized users. Implement strong passwords; use encryption. Locks and biometrics are strongly recommended, too.
– Monitor regularly: Make a habit of watching network activity and reading system logs to find inconsistencies and unusual traffic patterns.
– Maintain good backups: Backup often and verify your backups always. Keep one or more copies off-site, if possible.
* On the People Side
When it comes to security, people usually are the weakest link in the chain. They can be lazy, indifferent, uninformed or represent some other security liability. Because you, too, may possibly exhibit such characteristics and behaviors yourself, here are ways to address these people problems and successfully increase and ensure IT security. For example, you should:
– Establish controls: Rules and policies can help to specify what is or isnt acceptable use. Enforce them. Be prompt at acting on the slightest deviation.
– Train and educate: You and your staff can never be too knowledgeable about the newest technologies or the latest types of attacksworms, viruses, Trojans, malware and others. Be prepared to learn and learn to be prepared.
– Be safety aware: Dont expose yourself or your systems to potential attacks by linking to questionable websites. And, opening an email attachment from an unknown source could quench much more than sheer curiosity.
– Go “long” on commitment: Engage people by assigning them (or yourself) duties and responsibilities with realistic goals and rewards. Foster loyalty and support alongside accountability for non-performance.
Experiencing a malicious attack is sometimes the result of weak or ineffective security practices. And, while finding quick solutions to the attack may be reactionary and expected, it is not necessarily the only or best course of action in securing PCs and networks. There are far more sensible and fundamental ways to implement and address security in relation to the hardware, software and people involved in day to day operations. It is, in fact, by applying those ways and practices that you can effectively and successfully improve upon and optimize security in it.
Effective Ways to Optimize Security in it
Chances are your computer network or PC has been attacked at some point or another. Perhaps a worm caused your system to slow down severely, a virus erased your entire hard drive, or, malware plagued your registry and browser, leaving you helpless and frustrated. What you probably learned from these attacks was how or where to find a quick-fix while your overall security remained unchanged. What you may not know is that there are a few fundamental practices in relation to the hardware, software and people that can help to improve or optimize the safety level of your computer network and personal system. These practices or ways are sound, easy to implement and highly effective.
* On the Hardware/Software Side
While they may appear relatively basic at the onset, some practical measures should be taken to not just establish and maintain but also to increase ongoing security to computer hardware and software. Failure to adhere to these measures or ways of implementing security can potentially lead to disaster. Of course, you can further add to or enhance these measures depending on your particular situationsuch as budget restraints, time-frame, etc.
Specifically, you will want to:
– Upgrade or replace: Older hardware can malfunction and become unstable; older software can have security holes and vulnerabilities or could fail to properly integrate with newer technologies.
– Patch up and harden: Whether its a domain controller or your home PC, install anti-virus software, configure a firewall, update the OS using service packs and remove unnecessary services.
– Limit access: Keep the system away from prying eyes and unauthorized users. Implement strong passwords; use encryption. Locks and biometrics are strongly recommended, too.
– Monitor regularly: Make a habit of watching network activity and reading system logs to find inconsistencies and unusual traffic patterns.
– Maintain good backups: Backup often and verify your backups always. Keep one or more copies off-site, if possible.
* On the People Side
When it comes to security, people usually are the weakest link in the chain. They can be lazy, indifferent, uninformed or represent some other security liability. Because you, too, may possibly exhibit such characteristics and behaviors yourself, here are ways to address these people problems and successfully increase and ensure IT security. For example, you should:
– Establish controls: Rules and policies can help to specify what is or isnt acceptable use. Enforce them. Be prompt at acting on the slightest deviation.
– Train and educate: You and your staff can never be too knowledgeable about the newest technologies or the latest types of attacksworms, viruses, Trojans, malware and others. Be prepared to learn and learn to be prepared.
– Be safety aware: Dont expose yourself or your systems to potential attacks by linking to questionable websites. And, opening an email attachment from an unknown source could quench much more than sheer curiosity.
– Go “long” on commitment: Engage people by assigning them (or yourself) duties and responsibilities with realistic goals and rewards. Foster loyalty and support alongside accountability for non-performance.
Experiencing a malicious attack is sometimes the result of weak or ineffective security practices. And, while finding quick solutions to the attack may be reactionary and expected, it is not necessarily the only or best course of action in securing PCs and networks. There are far more sensible and fundamental ways to implement and address security in relation to the hardware, software and people involved in day to day operations. It is, in fact, by applying those ways and practices that you can effectively and successfully improve upon and optimize security in it.