v-Wolf

a blog about Network and Security

Wipe your Laptop data like a Pro

3 years ago, I needed to return my laptop to the company and also need to wipe a private laptop at the same time to sell. I wanted to make sure that all my data was completely deleted and could not restored by somebody else.

I looked for free tools to wipe. This was not easy, but I found a way to do this via a live Linux CD, SystemRescue. You can boot this CD or create a bootable USB key, in my case, via the Rufus Tool. The good news it’s all free 😉

SystemRescue contains the GNU Core utilities, and the GNU Core utilities contain the command/tool „shred„. Shred was created for wiping disks.

I boot the laptop with USB Stick.

  1. I

2. on the Linux console, I type „lsblk“ for show all information about all available or the specified block devices

[root@sysresccd]# lsblk
NAME    MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE   RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
loop0     7:0    0 621.6M    1 loop /run/archiso/sfs/airootfs
sda       8:0    1   7.5G    0 disk 
L sda1    8:1    1   7.5G    0 part /run/archiso/bootmnt 
sr0      11:0    1  1024M    0 rom 
nvme0n1 259:0    0 953.9G    0 disk


We see the „nvme0n1“ device with around 1TB in the last line. depending on your hardware the name of the hard disk can vary.

2. go to the device folder with „cd /dev/“

[root@sysresccd]# cd /dev/
[root@sysresccd /dev]#

3. type „ls nvme0n1“ even here you can place the „nvme0n1“ name with the name of your disk

[root@sysresccd /dev]# ls nvme0n1
nvme0n1

You see your hard drive in the line below.

4. Now you use linux command „shred“ to wipe the disk.

we use the command with the following options

shred -vfz -n 7 /dev/nvme0n1

-v, –verbose
show progress in detail.

-f, –force
Force the permissions to allow writing if necessary.

-z, –zero
Add a final overwrite with zeros to hide shredding.

n, –iterations=N
Instead of the default (3) times, overwrite the data N times.
but in our case we 7 because

[root@sysresccd /dev]# shred -vfz -n 7 /dev/nvme0n1
shred: /deu/nune0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...
shred: /deu/nune0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...2.2GiB/954GiB 0%
shred: /deu/nume0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...5.1GiB/954GiB 0%
shred: /deu/nume0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...7.9GiB/954GiB 0%
shred: /deu/nume0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...10GiB/954GiB 1%
shred: /deu/nune0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...13GiB/954GiB 1%
shred: /deu/nune0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...16GiB/954GiB 1%
shred: /deu/nume0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...19GiB/954GiB 2%
shred: /deu/nume0n1: pass 1/8 (random)...22GiB/954GiB 2%

5. Just wait until it is completed.

PreSales SE Backpack Checklist with buying recommendations

For 11 years, I have traveled with customers, given workshops and presentations, and always needed my tool set. Over the years, I have added more and changed something. I want to share the outcomes of this years of experience.

This Checklist could help you build your own perfect SE Backpack. Yours may be different from mine, depending on your personal preferences.

I will also incl. the links you have a buying list.

  1. The Backpack itself: The Deuter Gigant. Instead of using a merchandise Backpack, use Deuter, a high-quality brand from Germany. This Backpack costs around 100 US dollars but is so reliable that it works for at least ten years even if you have always heavy-loaded it. It is a dream to wear it. The most comfortable backpack I ever had. For a perfect fit, you should go to an outlet store for consulting because the backpack model can vary depending on body size and other factors. Even my 16-inch Macbook Pro fits in without problems.



2. Cable Bag: BUBM 9.7 Inch

All my cables, incl. the laptop charger and mobile phone charger, presenter, adapters, extension cables etc. fits in. If you see something interesting in the pictures. All items will described in detail below, including links to buy them.

3. Display Adapter Dell DA300 (works for Macbooks and Windows Laptops if they USB-C ports). From USB-C to VGA / HDMI / Display Port / LAN RJ-45 / USB-A. It gives you everything you need. The docking station in your pocket 😉

If not available for sales look for Dell DA-310

4. Presenter Logitech R400. A very good one. Works with Windows and Macs

5. Power extension cable (3 Meters Long). This is a must-have because sometimes power pods are far away in meeting rooms, and MacBook power supplies do not fit into a built-in socket on a meeting table. It fits in the Cable Bag: BUBM 9.7 Inch

6. A Standard Optical mouse.

7. Macbook Power supply and cable (USB-C to Macsafe in my case)

8. IPad

  • IPad power supply
  • cable USB-C to Lightning cable
  • Apple Pencil Lightning Charger Adapter

9. Mobil Phone power supply

10. QR Code with Contact for Mobil Phones. In times when paper business cards are more and more obsolete, I use QR codes. You have two options. First is a QR code with a URL, or you can use a QR code to create a contact locally on the smartphone (iPhone and Andriod). I used the website:

https://www.qr-code-generator.com and yes it’s free 🙂

11. A magnetic badge for events

12. USB Keys with high capacity from SanDisk and an Adapter for USB-C to USB-A like the Dell DA200. If you have the DA310 mentioned above, you do not need the DA200.

13. Headphone Sennheiser PCX 550

14. Powerbank 24000 mAh

15. Earplugs

16. USB-C to Lightning cable for connecting iPhone directly to Macbook if you are on the train and need the iPhone to be your hotspot via USB.

17. Kensington UltraThin Magnetic Privacy Screen Filter for 16″ MacBook Pro

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