Slashdot Mirror
On-Call-IT Assists In Government Data Destruction
covaro writes "Seems those on-site computer services may be helping to cover up government dirty deeds these days. The Wall Street Journal reports: 'Investigators learned that [Office of Special Counsel head Scott Bloch, who has been under investigation since 2005] erased all the files on his office personal computer late last year. They are now trying to determine whether the deletions were improper or part of a cover-up, lawyers close to the case said ... Bypassing his agency's computer technicians, Mr. Bloch phoned for Geeks on Call, the mobile PC-help service ... Bloch had his computer's hard disk completely cleansed using a "seven-level" wipe: a thorough scrubbing that conforms to Defense Department data-security standards. The process makes it nearly impossible for forensics experts to restore the data later.'"
Or a screw-driver followed by steel wool on the platters.
BTW, nitric acid would likely be more effective than sulphuric. And a mix of nitric and hydrochloric (commonly known as aqua regia) will probably do an even better job. The nitric acts as an oxidizing agent while the hydrochloric can help complex some of the resulting metal ions making the mixture more effective. Sulphuric would probably just get rid of some of the organic coatings in the time that it would take the aqua regia to chew through all the metals.