CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) — Question 132

A user wants to dispose of a failed hard drive in a way that ensures the data is unrecoverable. Which of the following is the best at-home method?

Answer options

• A. Standard formatting
• B. Low-level formatting
• C. Shredding
• D. Degaussing
• E. Drilling

Correct answer: E

Explanation

Drilling a hard drive physically destroys the platters, making data retrieval impossible, which is why it is the best option for ensuring data is unrecoverable. Standard formatting and low-level formatting do not adequately erase the data, as they can potentially be recovered with the right tools. Shredding and degaussing are effective but may not be as accessible or straightforward for at-home disposal as drilling.