When using One Pass Zeros, the number of passes is fixed and cannot be changed. When the write head passes through a sector, it writes only zeros (0x00 characters).
When using One Pass Random, the number of passes is fixed and cannot be changed. When the write head passes through a sector, it writes series of random characters.
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time is with zeros (0x00), the second time with 0xFF and the third time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector seven times (0x00, 0xFF, Random, 0x96, 0x00, 0xFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector three times (Random, Random, 0x00). There is one final pass to verify zeros by reading.
The write head passes over each sector three times (0xFF, 0x00, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector seven times (0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
Baseline method overwrites disk's surface with just zeros (0x00). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
Enhanced method - the write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with zeros (0x00), second time with 0xFF and the third time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector two times. (0x00, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with 0xFF, second time with zeros (0x00) and the third time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with random characters, second time with zeros (0x00) and the third time with 0xFF. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
RL method - the write head passes over each sector three times (0x01, 0x27FFFFFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
MFM method - the write head passes over each sector three times (0x01, 0x7FFFFFFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector three times (0x00, 0xFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector two times (Random, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
Supported three NIST 800-88 media sanitization methods:
1. The write head passes over each sector one time (0x00).
2. The write head passes over each sector one time (Random).
3. The write head passes over each sector three times (0x00, 0xFF, Random).
For details about this secure data clearing standard, you can read the original article at the link below: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-88/NISTSP800-88_with-errata.pdf
Supported three NIST 800-88 (rev. 1) media sanitization methods:
1. The write head passes over each sector one time (0x00).
2. The write head passes over each sector one time (Random).
3. The write head passes over each sector three times (0x00, 0xFF, Random).
For details about this secure data clearing standard, you can read the original article at the link below: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-88r1.pdf
The write head passes over each sector seven times . (0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, 0xAA). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector once with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector seven times (0xFF, 0x00, Random, Random, Random, Random, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
The write head passes over each sector 35 times. For details about this, the most secure data clearing standard, you can read the original article at the link below: www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/secure_del.html
IEEE Std 2883-2022 clear sanitization method consists of at least two passes of writes, to include a pattern in the first pass and its complement in the second pass. (0x00 in the first pass and 0xFF in the second). Verification step selects random locations on the storage media that represent at least 5% of the addressable space.
You indicate the number of times the write head passes over each sector. Each overwriting pass is performed with a buffer containing the pattern you specified (ASCII string or HEX values). User Defined method allows to define any kind of new erase algorithms based on user requirements. Verification step can be optionally added with percentage of storage to verify.
According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-88: Guidelines for Media Sanitation, Secure Erase is "An overwrite technology using firmware based process to overwrite a hard drive. Is a drive command defined in the ANSI ATA and SCSI disk drive interface specifications, which runs inside drive hardware. It completes in about 1/8 the time of 5220 block erasure." The guidelines also state that "degaussing and executing the firmware Secure Erase command (for ATA drives only) are acceptable methods for purging." ATA Secure Erase (SE) is designed for SSD controllers only. The SSD controller resets all memory cells making them empty. In fact, this method restores the SSD to the factory state, not only deleting data but also returning the original performance. When implemented correctly, this standard processes all memory, including service areas and protected sectors.
For more information about Secure Erase concepts and how KillDisk supports it, please read documentaion.
