The 2016 hard disk study on information available on the second hand market in the UK

Andy Jones, Olga Angelopoulou, Stilianos Vidalis, Helge Janicke

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A joint study was carried out by the University of Hertfordshire and De Montfort University to determine whether computer disks that were purchased on the second hand market contained any retrievable information or whether the contents of the disk had been effectively erased. The research revealed that, for the majority of the working, analysed disks, the information had not been effectively sanitised and individuals as well as organisations could be identified. This study was the first one conducted between the two affiliated institutions, but results from similar studies have been presented in the UK the last 5 years. The adopted methodology followed the principles from studies that were carried out internationally in previous years. A total of 110 computer hard disks were randomly selected from a source in the second hand market and supplied through a third party. The research involved the forensic imaging of the disks, followed by an analysis of the disk images to determine what information remained and whether it could be easily recovered using forensically verified tools and techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 16th European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, ECCWS 2017
PublisherCurran Associates Inc.
Pages193-199
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9781911218432
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event16th European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, ECCWS 2017 - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 29 Jun 201730 Jun 2017

Conference

Conference16th European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security, ECCWS 2017
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period29/06/1730/06/17

Keywords

  • Data leakage
  • Data recovery
  • Digital forensics
  • Disk analysis
  • Hard disk study
  • Personally identifiable information
  • Privacy

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