Study on data protection and security on used hard drives and memory cards in Germany and the USA

When files are deleted, it doesn't mean that data are gone. That this simple fact is not known to many users of computer systems and digital cameras has once again lead to alarming results in this year's study. On virtually all of the hard drives purchased using online auctions, recovered* personal and company data were found that should never have seen the light of day. Two-thirds of the storage media still contained the data of their predecessor although almost all of those former owners were convinced their data had been deleted. Barely any of them were aware that deletion of data in Windows or on a digital camera is not a permanent matter. Beyond presenting its research results, this study sheds light on the probable causes and background information regarding this very serious IT data security issue. Extensive solutions are also presented for preventing this dangerous and invisible form of data transmission.

* These data were recovered using O&O DiskRecovery.

Deletion of Data

Deleted is not always deleted!
Moving files to the Windows recycle bin and emptying it does not remove data form the hard disk. Only the directory entry is removed, whereas the actual data remains on the hard disk and can easily be reconstructed. Formatting a partition, and even a low-level formatting at BIOS level, are also not secure methods of deletion, as the data can still be reconstructed, albeit with more time and effort required.