The Write Zero data sanitization method is, unsurprisingly, usually implemented in the following way:
- Pass 1: Writes a Zero
Some implementations of the Write Zero method may include a verification after the first pass, may write a character other than zero, or may write zeros over several passes.
Erasing a hard drive using the Write Zero data sanitization method will likely prevent all software based file recovery methods from lifting information from the drive but is unlikely to prevent most hardware based recovery methods from extracting information.
Most data destruction programs support multiple data sanitization methods in addition to Write Zero.
In Windows Vista and later versions of Windows, the format command, by default, uses the Write Zero sanitization method during the format process.
Note: The Write Zero method is sometimes, and more accurately, referred to as the Single Overwrite method.
