Securely Wipe CDs with 150k Volts of Shock Therapy

[Kaymish]

sorry to pud a damper on it it looked cool but ultimately useless if the people you are hiding the information on are able to reassemble a broken disk why cant they just re-coat the disk with another shiny layer since the data is encoded on the plastic and not the shiny layer shiny layer just reflects the laser

EDIT :infact if you wanted to properly erase your data better off doing this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMFv19fY0MY
or'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZhWd6nvcWc

 

[Judgement101]

When would this possible be needed since you can: Shred, burn, break, explode, step on, scratch, or chainsaw a CD to the point where it is unreadable.

 

[Katana314]

Um...this certainly seems plausible, but does anybody think that the grey area in the middle of the disc looks kind of like it's been video-editted to slowly shrink?

 

[Alpha Maeko]

Um...this certainly seems plausible, but does anybody think that the grey area in the middle of the disc looks kind of like it's been video-editted to slowly shrink?

Did you not see the metal flakes peeling and flying off the disc and landing all over?

It looked real enough to me.

 

[samsonguy920]

Sweeeeet. How it doesn't fry the disk motor is interesting, though the plastic in the disk may be insulating that. There's definitely some precise specs to take into account here beyond just the voltage of the device.

When would this possibley be needed since you can: Shred, burn, break, explode, step on, scratch, or chainsaw a CD to the point where it is unreadable.

Shred: An industrial grade shredder would cost as much as that electrical getup
Burn: Not practical if there is no adequate airflow. Yes you get the job done but then die later from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Break: Read the article for why this doesn't work.
Explode: As dangerous as Burning and even more impractical as it only attracts more attention.
Step On: How is that supposed to do anything?
Scratch: As impractical as breaking, and easier to repair.
Chainsaw: Seriously?
If you watch the video, the metal that the data is contained on within the disk is completely obliterated, turning it into just a coaster. The next best thing, as was mentioned, is just sticking it into a microwave oven. But take into account it may damage the oven to the point of being useless for further tries. This method demonstrated is repeatable with little risk to anyone who respects electricity.

 

[Judgement101]

Sweeeeet. How it doesn't fry the disk motor is interesting, though the plastic in the disk may be insulating that. There's definitely some precise specs to take into account here beyond just the voltage of the device.

When would this possibley be needed since you can: Shred, burn, break, explode, step on, scratch, or chainsaw a CD to the point where it is unreadable.

Shred: An industrial grade shredder would cost as much as that electrical getup
Burn: Not practical if there is no adequate airflow. Yes you get the job done but then die later from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Break: Read the article for why this doesn't work.
Explode: As dangerous as Burning and even more impractical as it only attracts more attention.
Step On: How is that supposed to do anything?
Scratch: As impractical as breaking, and easier to repair.
Chainsaw: Seriously?
If you watch the video, the metal that the data is contained on within the disk is completely obliterated, turning it into just a coaster. The next best thing, as was mentioned, is just sticking it into a microwave oven. But take into account it may damage the oven to the point of being useless for further tries. This method demonstrated is repeatable with little risk to anyone who respects electricity.

Industrial grade shredder? My crappy $50 shredder can shred 10 sheets of paper and 3 CDs at the same time.

 

[Bobbity]

I'd hate to see that guy's electricity bill

 

[Rayne870]

I don't care for results. Electricity arcs are pretty! We should utilize them in more ways just because of how awesome they look.

Only problem i see with this method for spies is that those 2 coils would be quite a trouble to transport around and must be real pain at airports.

shockingly good use of AoL trials!

 

[Cain_Zeros]

So much easier to just use a hard drive and take a magnet to it...

 

[SpAc3man]

The data isn't on the metal, its stored on the plastic. The metal layer just reflects the laser.

 

[Valanthe]

Who has these things laying around the house?

If you have a couple old microwaves and a disk drive you don't mind gutting, you do.

P.S. I've no idea what -actually- went into this aprticular piece, but an old microwave (one without an inductor) gives you a very easy 20,000 volts to play with...

don't try it at home.

 

[Serioli]

Or throw the CD in a fire?

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Because y'know, fires are so hard to come by.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Does that mean he can use the CD again then? Or is it just destroyed

 

[Latinidiot]

Because y'know, fires are so hard to come by.

We're not in the stone age anymore! Back then, someone might've solved this with fire.. But this is the 2000's, man. Electricity's the shit. Move on with the times, pops.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Because y'know, fires are so hard to come by.

We're not in the stone age anymore! Back then, someone might've solved this with fire.. But this is the 2000's, man. Electricity's the shit. Move on with the times, pops.

Sorry, I'll just go cry in the corner with my PS1.

 

[Randomologist]

sorry to pud a damper on it it looked cool but ultimately useless if the people you are hiding the information on are able to reassemble a broken disk why cant they just re-coat the disk with another shiny layer since the data is encoded on the plastic and not the shiny layer shiny layer just reflects the laser...

Good point, but plastic melts. I can't help but think there's at least some distortion with 150KV running through it.

 

[RA92]

Take THAT, DRM!

As much as I detest the social circles of Facebook and YouTube, sometimes I just wish Escapist had a 'like' button...

 

[Scorched_Cascade]

Can we not just microwave it? You know...that appliance found in your average home.

Don't get me wrong it's cool and all just not very practical.

Edit: Some of these are options too: http://www.wikihow.com/Destroy-a-CD-or-DVD