Windows 10: Do I need to Wipe/Erase my SSD Partition after removing Bit-locker

I own SanDisk 256gb SSD, It has 2 Partitions C: for Windows & D: for my personal data. I have encrypted Drive D: with Bitlocker in Win 10.

Now for the purpose of resale should I completely Wipe Partition C & D (so that purchaser couldn't recover any of my files) or it is impossible to recovery as it was having Encryption ? Thanks *Smile

:)

 

Bit locker issue on Windows 10 and not able to access partition on the File Explorer.

Original Title: bit locker problem

hello

i have a windows 7 on vaio lap top with product key:

*************** (Removed Product key)

i update that to windows 10. then set Bit Locker on one of my partitions and lock it. it work until i recovery windows and install windows again. now i cant access to my partition and my partition there isn't in mycomputer . i check disk management and understood
that partition there is but have no volume and it's like a empty partition.

my data was very important

what can i do now?

thanks alote

 

new SSD

ok I reply to myself

after a deep research about to how do a secure erase of a SSD

Follow these steps to delete partitions in OSX:

- Ensure the SSD is connected and is not the boot drive

- In Finder, go to Utilities and open the Disk Utility (I used my Windows 7 CD ROM)

- Highlight the SSD, and go to the Partition tab

- Under Partition Layout, select 1 Partition

- Click on Options... and make sure that GUID Partition Table is selected.

- Click on Apply to create a single large partition on the SSD.

- After the partition is created, click on it so it becomes highlighted.

- Click the minus sign (-) to remove the partition.

Once you've followed these steps, you will need to let the drive sit idle for an extended period, ideally at least overnight. This will allow an in-built function called Garbage Collection to clean all the cells and effectively prepare the drive for re-use.
Avoiding this step could result in poor performance when re-using the SSD.

Source

end the discussion

thanks everyone..!!!

especially myself who actually find the answer to my own question.!!

 

Most normal computer people cannot recover files off of a formatted drive.
Because the drive was encrypted, the files will no longer be accessible if the drive is formatted and they do not have the password
If you are paranoid, wiping the drive is a good idea.

 

You assume every computer person is "normal". That assumption is what allows hackers to hide in plain site. Anyway the OP intends to sell the drive and may not have an idea of who's going to buy it, thus their security concerns do matter and they are not being "paranoid".

That said, I'm not sure how Bit Blocker works with regards to needing to wipe the drive after the drive has been removed from the affected machine. In short, I don't have the answer as to whether the drive actually needs further wiping.

 

If it's that much of a concern, just run something like MiniTool Partition Wizard and select wipe drive. Remember we are talking about an SSD here - an SSD is much harder to use forensics to recover data on than a traditional HDD. You can even do it with MiniTool Partition Wizard installed on the drive you are about to erase, it will reboot the computer, load itself into memory, and then wipe the system drive.





Recovering Evidence from SSD Drives in 2014: Understanding TRIM, Garbage Collection and Exclusions | Forensic Focus - Articles

 

My question to you, NavyLCDR - is this really necessary being the drive "was" previously encrypted with Bit Blocker?

Just curious.

 

Hi there

My own take on this is that if you are that paranoid (no disrespect here -- these days you never can be too careful with computers) is that you should re-format the drive and then use one of those programs that writes X'00' (Hex zeros) to every data area on the HDD / SSD. If you are using Windows then NavyLcdr's post is good too.

If I'm repairing anybody's computer that's had a virus on it for a start I boot up their machine with a Linux distro from a USB, reformat the HDD with Linux EXT4 (mkfs.ext4 command) and do my erase with X'00' before re-formatting the drive with NTFS and recovering Windows. The Linux "secure erase" utilities are a zillion times faster than the Windows ones - also re-formatting the HDD / SSD with ext4 (only takes a few seconds even on large TB HDD's) gives another level of "deletion" so doubly secure.

Note - people like CIA / Mossad / Police etc can often decrypt things like Bitlocker from domestic machines -- commercial military grade encryption is obviously (or hopefully !!!) much harder to break.

Personally I'd rather DONATE an old / unwanted computer to some organisation that needs it rather than sell it on the open market - but that's an individuals choice.

As for relying on a Used HDD / SSD for "production" or everyday running machines - I'd never buy one -- although for using in a test lab / making backup copies of data it's probably OK though - I've loads of 2.5 inch HDD's from old laptops etc - these are useful for all sorts of purposes.

Cheers
jimbo

 

First and foremost I'm always the one telling people if their that paranoid they shouldn't be using electronic devices. In short I DON'T subscribe to the tin-hat society! Now that that's out the way - Just because one wants to practice sound security measures doesn't make one paranoid. I think a bit of common sense is in order here.

If the measure isn't required, it isn't required. I think that's what the OP is asking. And also what I asked. No one is being paranoid here.

Anyway, when I trash a hard drive I'll drill a hole through it. And the only people who get my old hard drives are family members, but this is after a simple reformat and OS install. Were I to sell a drive to say a stranger, I might take more secure measures in wiping the drive. That's me. Anyway that doesn't make one paranoid, that makes them security conscious.

All locks do is keep honest men honest, an thief will find a way if they want it bad enough. Thus you can't go through life worrying.

Peace *Cool

 

FYI, your military grade encryption is what Bitlocker uses. AES is the encryption scheme the US government uses to encrypt confidential information. Currently it is not possible to decrypt AES using any brute force means. Instead other means of obtaining the key are used. The weakness of the encryption is the key and how well you guard it.

Your military grade encryption can easily be broken, if you posted-note the password nearby for example. That is how they get around the encryption.

The only way to decrypt Bitlocker is by getting access to the key.

 

I would say no, so long as you deleted the partitions without decrypting them.

 

Thank you.

Peace