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.
Click to expand...
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' (
https://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.