Disposing of a CD or DVD

Don't simply throw away your old CDs or DVDs. The data you have on them is still there and could fall into the hands of the wrong person.

First let me tell you how NOT to destroy this type media and why. I learned the hard way. ;)

I had heard that intentionally scratching a CD or DVD to damage it was not a secure enough means to destroy the data on it. So I tried breaking it; you know, snapping it in half. :O

Oh, it works; but too well. The sharp plastic pieces and fine metallic film covering the disc flew everywhere. Imagine my surprise when it was raining plastic and metallic film.

Since I walk around my home office in my bare feet, that's not good. It's also not good when my dog's snout frequently grazes the office floor for miniscule Pop-Tart crumbs I might have dropped.

So learn from my mistake. When you snap a CD or DVD in half to destroy it, wrap it in an old towel first and then hold it over your trash can. Note that a broken CD or DVD is sharp, so be careful not to cut yourself.

// posted by BasicRic on 6/18/2005 08:58:00 AM / Permanent Link