sadatx

I know the only way to be sure that sensitive information on a disk won't be read is to physically destroy the disk, but what's the bes way to do it?

I found a site that suggests nuking the CD (http://toast.ardant.net, pretty funny), but I don't want to ruin my microwave. And I'm not sure if just cutting it up is good enough.

Any suggestions?

cliche

Surely got to be some kind of fire. Even if it's not the exciting microwave-sparky kind. Or you could probably dissolve it in something if you have access to organic solvents (which you can often buy at a hardware shop)...

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lordjeebus

Perhaps putting it on a gas stove until it blackens, but before it starts giving off fumes?

seretogis

Have any sandpaper handy?

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Chingal0

Roll it up in your car window, pinch it vertically and then keep rolling till it shatters and pokes you in the eye. Or throw it at someone.

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lordjeebus

Or you could put it in an AOL envelope and mail it to someone...

Sledge

Typically I bite my CDs before throwing them away - a lesson learned from when a family friend's brat ruined one of my favorite PSX discs.

A few seconds over a match or lighter should ruin it, too.

cliche

If it's a CD-R, you can usually peel off the writing surface (it's on the side AWAY from the laser) - it comes off like silver paper and leaves you a nice clear frisbee...

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I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. -- John Cage (1912 - 1992)

sadatx

I just held it over the burner on my stove until it melted onto itself making a cool little CD-ROM sculpture.

But even though it didn't burn it still stunk up my kitchen, which I am presently airing out, with funky smelling fumes (probably posinous even? it is a plastic...).

So I take it burning it is the only way to be sure

Althought the sandpaper idea sounds promising. But, alas, I have none handy

tekaweni

I think any of the above should keep even the FBI out of your stuff.

What's on it btw? :-P

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darkshines

any rough surface would do....how about the pavement? scuff it around with the bottom of your foot.

dnd

hahah thats hilariously true

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Redlemon

You know, you could probably effectively hide small things in AOL mailers. No one would ever open one of those. Cash, porn CDs/DVDs, etc.

Dilbert1234567

find some cement and throw it at it until it shaters you will lose a lot of the shiny stuff (where the data is) you will never reconstruct it. further you can just bend the cd in your hand till it snaps (carful it can be sharp)

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Donate Blood!

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kel

Lighter is the best option, you don't need to destroy the whole cd, you just need to destroy a portion of every track, meaning a line from the center to the outer edge. You don't need it to burn (and thus stink) just warp it a bit.

The data is usually stored on a surface embedded in the plastic closer to the label side of the CD then it is to the transparent side. Sometimes there is plastic on top of the data area and you can't peel it.

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Elitegibson

They make shredders with CD slots, you could just buy one of those. Or you could just scratch the fuck out of it.

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-Erik

Stupid people shouldn't breed.

westothemax

You can do what this guy did... check out the videos.

<a href ="http://www.powerlabs.org/cdexplode.htm">[link]</a>

krazykemist

westothemax-
That was seriously amusing. And downright tempting.

However I think I would probably be wearing more than sunglasses while attempting this.

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Ripsaw

Fire.

The leprechaun told you to burn things.

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tekaweni

1) Put about a pint of loose gravel into a plastic packet.
2) Insert CD into packet, making sure there's lots of gravel on both sides.
3) Place on driveway. Go find your car keys.

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Averett

I'm going with the running it over with your car option. That'd be fun

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propaganda

Oh man finally someone ask this people actually sell contraptions that destory a cd with no physical effects. You shoudl check tigerdirect.com but I have no idea why anyone would want to do this. Just go with the microwave you get a free light show and a totally destroyed cd.

TheBrit

I microwave mine, never damaged the microwave, can't see why it would. Just snap it half.

oberon

You should melt it. One way or another. Organic chemicals, fire, molten lava, steel mill, whatever...

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brandon11983

I've found that a good paper shredder will do the trick. I used to work at Staples and shredded cd's all the time. Straight cut models from Aurora did well, and straight and cross cut models from Fellowes ate them babies up!!

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heyal256

I much prefer this "scientific" method of destroying a cd
http://www.paintbug.com/cdexplode/

or dvd
http://html.uhome.net/cd-dvd-bang/e_js_n-dvd.htm

Or if you somehow have access to this kind of equipment
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/cdzap.html

Seriously tho, you can leave the cd outside to help speed up the process of getting the data layer to peel off.

TrogDor

1) Heavy Sand paper
2) Big Hammer
3) High heat stove.

MontanaXVI

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Latch

I've always nuked mine while they're sitting on a coffee cup of water. Microwave is fine.. the stuff just starts to give off bad fumes hehe.

Destrox

i'm in favor of making a pasty substance out of existing fireworks, apply a layer onto each cd you want destroyed, put each layer on top of each other, give a long strip along the entire veritcal side, let dry.

Light that fucker, Burns burns burns in a burning ring of fire.



(i'm a pyro... so sue me.)

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LewisCouch

I use a shredder. It is a basic unit you can buy at Office Depot or the like. It will shred 12 sheets of paper at a time and takes care of CD's, credit cards and generally anything that fits in it.

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