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Personally I think the most secure option would be to setup a system to physically destroy the computer's HDD and therefore any information contained on it. Pe

Personally I think the most secure option would be to setup a system to physically destroy the computer's HDD and therefore any information contained on it. Perhaps a 1.8" HDD in a 2.5" carrier with the spare space being taken up by Thermite and an ignition system? Don't enter the correct BIOS password within 30 seconds of a boot attempt? Buh Bye, HDD.

ErrantX 17y ago
Fireworks do an almost as solid job with a mechanical trigger; though you do risk hurting someone (and the legal consequences therein). We had a machine a while back with a Firework strapped to the underside of the HDD and something like a lighter mechanism attached to the case side (it was a dell). Must have been hell to put together safely but when pulled apart the firework lit and went off. Fortunately it dropped off the HDD before exploding properly so the drive was only partially damaged (the platters were ok). With a bit more of a solid construction it might have been successful. A low tech solution anyway :)
- aarongough 17y ago
  Haha, I'm amazed that anyone has actually encountered a machine rigged this way in reality! Your website says you work as a forensic analyst which I guess at least partly explains your run-in with a booby-trapped computer. Have any other stories about crazy data protection schemes that you can share?
  - ErrantX 17y ago
    Not really (sadly). You do find crazy stuff inside computers; various drug caches, underwear etc. Infrequently though.
    - aarongough 17y ago
      Well from your perspective it's probably not too bad a thing that people aren't booby-trapping their machines with novel explosive devices... But life would definitely be more novel if they were! Underwear? Seriously? "It helps with airflow! Duh!"
Sukotto 17y ago
Leading to obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, and related charges (no pun intended)... Also likely to weight very heavily on a jury when they learn you destroyed your computer rather than allow the "good guys" check it over. yeah... have a nice time in prison
- epochwolf 17y ago
  Obstruction of justice might be a better charge than the case the police won't be able to make because they have don't have enough evidence. Which of course assumes the police have your computer as the significant evidence. How likely is it that considering they have a warrant for your computer?
- aarongough 17y ago
  I'm well-aware that it's not actually a great idea in practice... Imagine the repercussions if your girlfriend was trying to use your laptop to surf the net and didn't know the password. No more computer, no more girlfriend, hospital bills.
PStamatiou 17y ago
that's why i always have some thermite on hand. it's very cheap too but you have to be super careful storing it, there's a label on the powdered aluminum saying never get it wet as it'll start reacting. from the Al powder MSDS: "Dust may form flammable or explosive mixture with air, especially when damp. Reacts violently and/or explosively with water, steam or moisture. May ignite or explode on contact with moist air. May cause eye and skin irritation. May cause respiratory tract irritation. Air sensitive. " although i'm pretty sure I'm on some FBI watch list now. http://www.ecrater.com/search.php?keywords=thermite&x=0&y=0 http://www.ecrater.com/search.php?keywords=thermite&x=0&... As for "Don't enter the correct BIOS password within 30 seconds of a boot attempt? Buh Bye, HDD." Well that'll just start a fire and you'd be liable for arson. You can't really put out thermite once the reaction starts.

ErrantX 17y ago

Fireworks do an almost as solid job with a mechanical trigger; though you do risk hurting someone (and the legal consequences therein). We had a machine a while back with a Firework strapped to the underside of the HDD and something like a lighter mechanism attached to the case side (it was a dell). Must have been hell to put together safely but when pulled apart the firework lit and went off. Fortunately it dropped off the HDD before exploding properly so the drive was only partially damaged (the platters were ok). With a bit more of a solid construction it might have been successful. A low tech solution anyway :)

aarongough 17y ago
Haha, I'm amazed that anyone has actually encountered a machine rigged this way in reality! Your website says you work as a forensic analyst which I guess at least partly explains your run-in with a booby-trapped computer. Have any other stories about crazy data protection schemes that you can share?
- ErrantX 17y ago
  Not really (sadly). You do find crazy stuff inside computers; various drug caches, underwear etc. Infrequently though.
  - aarongough 17y ago
    Well from your perspective it's probably not too bad a thing that people aren't booby-trapping their machines with novel explosive devices... But life would definitely be more novel if they were! Underwear? Seriously? "It helps with airflow! Duh!"

Sukotto 17y ago

Leading to obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, and related charges (no pun intended)... Also likely to weight very heavily on a jury when they learn you destroyed your computer rather than allow the "good guys" check it over. yeah... have a nice time in prison

epochwolf 17y ago
Obstruction of justice might be a better charge than the case the police won't be able to make because they have don't have enough evidence. Which of course assumes the police have your computer as the significant evidence. How likely is it that considering they have a warrant for your computer?
aarongough 17y ago
I'm well-aware that it's not actually a great idea in practice... Imagine the repercussions if your girlfriend was trying to use your laptop to surf the net and didn't know the password. No more computer, no more girlfriend, hospital bills.

PStamatiou 17y ago

that's why i always have some thermite on hand. it's very cheap too but you have to be super careful storing it, there's a label on the powdered aluminum saying never get it wet as it'll start reacting. from the Al powder MSDS: "Dust may form flammable or explosive mixture with air, especially when damp. Reacts violently and/or explosively with water, steam or moisture. May ignite or explode on contact with moist air. May cause eye and skin irritation. May cause respiratory tract irritation. Air sensitive. " although i'm pretty sure I'm on some FBI watch list now. http://www.ecrater.com/search.php?keywords=thermite&x=0&y=0 http://www.ecrater.com/search.php?keywords=thermite&x=0&... As for "Don't enter the correct BIOS password within 30 seconds of a boot attempt? Buh Bye, HDD." Well that'll just start a fire and you'd be liable for arson. You can't really put out thermite once the reaction starts.