Quick data erase tool

Nice, that little thing can help with damage control.

Good share, a hundred thanks!

JohnnyDoe said:

usbkill.com/

If you liked this usb kill, then download Wasted on android and protect your phone from unwanted usb connections (what govt use when they seize your phone to extract your data).
When an unauthorized usb connection is made to your phone it wipes all phone data.

Thank you, very good tool, well noted.

It's practical, but you don't have to destroy everything right away. Simply encrypt all data media before they are used with VeraCrypt or LUKS and let this tool run in the background:

github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill
Create a 40-50 digit password that you remember after a few days and you are on the safe side.

Last edited: Aug 5, 2023

Yeah this tool destroyed something very important for me back when this was posted (obvious my own mistake) so I prefer to encrypt stuff now.

Many thanks to you for sharing!

0cca said:

It's practical, but you don't have to destroy everything right away. Simply encrypt all data media before they are used with VeraCrypt or LUKS and let this tool run in the background:

github.com/hephaest0s/usbkill
Create a 40-50 digit password that you remember after a few days and you are on the safe side.

How would u do this for a android phone?

For some years ago the Eraser tool was shared here. It's so effective that it erased data which I rather wanted to keep but it was too late
eraser.heidi.ie/

this one is more user friendly and efficient: Stellar Security

ZipZop said:

this one is more user friendly and efficient: Stellar Security

This one costs money and may be useful but

erni said:

For some years ago the Eraser tool was shared here. It's so effective that it erased data which I rather wanted to keep but it was too late
eraser.heidi.ie/

this one is free and is very useful, it works and destroy a device completely.

JohnLocke said:

This one costs money and may be useful but

this one is free and is very useful, it works and destroy a device completely.

I want to bring some additional background to the topic given someone will re-visit it one day.

Buying any tool whether software or delivered physically related to 'data deletion' raises red flags to begin with even more so if the s**t is (about) to hit the fan. Always go for battle-tested open-sourced software or setup you can do at the office/home without need for specialized equipment.

On the topic usbkill is often categorized as 'poor mans' tool as well there is speculation () partial recovery of segments of the hard disks would be possible. Anything quick in majority of cases for data destruction/anti-forensic focuses on, as it suggests, speed rather than complete data removal.

Finally no software tool will ever completely, ultimately, 100%, irrevocably erase data. As time goes on and more complexity (and bulls**t) is added to data storage hardware this will continue to be true. An adversary such as for example Law Enforcement have (or access to) one of the best if not the best forensic experts on the planet and software at their disposal. In the adversary scenario do you really want to take a gamble they will not invent some new way to recover information? Even if it was encrypted 'correctly' (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_now,_decrypt_later)? No? Good. Use the physical layer and microwave, use that drill, burn, dissolve, run over, drown, throw away either or combination of.

Without going into further details, there is big difference in the forensic of hard disks (HDD) and solid state disks (SSD) for example. Not every software tool is suitable or will work on newer and newer storage mediums. Like anything for best results take time to understand how the device works followed by how the software works. While you might use the best recommended tools such as DBAN or nwipe you would have to know which functions to use. And as important what options - would you use a DoD standard wipe (7 passes) or Guttman method (35 passes).

Overall usbkill certainly has a lot of uses many outlined on their official website and can serve as an excellent quick deletion/turn off utility however it is no replacement for thorough anti-forensic tools.

It sounds great, as usual, but there's no mention of any actual tool that can get my data back. Like I mentioned, if there was a way to retrieve my data from that drive, I'd be over the moon.

erni said:

It sounds great, as usual, but there's no mention of any actual tool that can get my data back. Like I mentioned, if there was a way to retrieve my data from that drive, I'd be over the moon.

Take a look at opsy | Digital Forensics for a free solution. For a commercial grade one with really good results and most used by LE is Encase (now part of opentext) OpenText Encase Forensic. You can download full versions from torrent trackers however be careful of viruses (look around at verified uploaders, how many times downloaded etc). I would highly recommend using a computer with no hard drive or internet connection attached and one you do not need or have anything sensitive on.

gh0p said:

Take a look at opsy | Digital Forensics

can't see unpartitioned / formatted USB device

gh0p said:

OpenText Encase Forensic.

can't see it's a product or service one can buy?

lavel said:

can't see unpartitioned / formatted USB device

can't see it's a product or service one can buy?

No one mentioned USB devices. @erni asked about recovering deleted files from a hard disk. Both of these solutions can work.

For formatted USB Encase will work. It is a product, you can always RTFM or google it yourself.

Will try this... erased my USB device with a tool, now it says it has to be formatted before it can be used.. all data is gone, what would you say I should do ?

I've also had a USB stick where I tested the Eraser Tool, and it worked as suggested here; nothing can be read on this stick anymore, it can be formatted anew, and that's fine. However, now I'm curious to find out if the data can still be recovered. I'm not particularly technical, so I'm having a hard time finding anything useful - does anyone have a direct link or suggestion for something?

I tried with Donation

However, it can't recover from Eraser Tool - looks like it is pretty good to erase data.