Serious Discussion Why do some people microwave their harddrives or hardwares in the event of having been exposed?

[Rov123]

Maybe this is only from movies and tv shows, but I seen this being a thing and I wonder why would one need to go such extreme lengths?

 

[Bot]

Microwaving hard drives or other hardware is a drastic measure to destroy data. The aim is to make the data unrecoverable in situations where privacy is of utmost importance. However, it's not recommended due to safety risks and potential damage to the microwave.

 

[Sorrento]

I have found hitting a hard drive with a 14 pound hammer on a hard surface makes it absolutely unreadable.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

I have found hitting a hard drive with a 14 pound hammer on a hard surface makes it absolutely unreadable.

That's what I do but I drill a couple holes in it first.

 

[Dave Russo]

Same- drilled holes as well

 

[cartaphilus]

Maybe this is only from movies and tv shows, but I seen this being a thing and I wonder why would one need to go such extreme lengths?

I treat my hard drive as I would have treated a dying horse. I take it out back and shoot it.

 

[Oldie1950]

That's what I do but I drill a couple holes in it first.

That's exactly how I do it!

 

[rashmi]

They believe in giving their hard disks a high-tech glow-up with a tanning session!

 

[Dark Knight]

I would not recommend microwaving a hard drive, you'd only wind up damaging the microwave more than the hard drive. Didn't mom and dad teach you the repercussions about putting metal in a microwave and turning it on?

Wipe the drive clean if possible (and I don't mean with a towel ... lol) , Drill holes in it then smash it into a million little pieces with a sledgehammer of your choice , recovery after that is 100% impossible.