erase sever

keat63

• January 23, 2020 07:49

Now I've migrated my server, I want to ensure that all data is removed from the old one before I hand it back to the data centre. I've no doubt that they will perform a full erase (or will they), who knows. All accounts have been terminated, no accounts exist as far as WHM is concerned. Is this enough, or any other recommendations ? I've considered performing a rebuild, but I don't wish to leave it in a vulnerable state. Even though it's no longer required, I feel that I have a duty of care to the community.

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  quietFinn

  • January 23, 2020 13:27

  Reinstall OS and then boot in rescue mode?

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  rackaid

  • January 23, 2020 14:05

  Reloading your OS is a good recommendation. While this does not destroy the data on the disk, reloading the OS would require someone to attach a disk to a system and run special tools to recovery files. The latter is unlikely. Over my 15+ years in this industry, I have actually had disks added to servers that had customers data on them. This is usually when I've asked for an additional disk to be added to a dedicated server but it can happen. So now I always re-load the OS before cancelling a system. If there is really sensitive data, I run a wipe program on that data before the OS reload.

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  cPanelLauren

  • January 23, 2020 23:20

  @keat63 Both of the answers by @quietFinn and @rackaid are great, the only thing I would add is before you do any of this make sure you don't need ANY data on the old server.

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  keat63

  • January 24, 2020 08:05

  If I reload the OS, should I then consider reinstalling CSF and modifying Host Access Control ? Also if it helps, I have KVM access on this server.

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  rackaid

  • January 24, 2020 18:56

  Here's our full process.

  • Make sure you have all of your data. (Our management customers have offsite, full-server backups -- so that is some added assurance in case something was missed.)
  • If you have highly sensitive data, use a wipe program on those files.
  • Reload the OS
  • Confirm OS reload is successful
  • Double check that secondary disks are wiped.
  • Double check that any associated services (IPs, SANs, NAS, network services are removed/destroyed).
  • Poweroff server

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  cPanelLauren

  • January 24, 2020 19:41

  If it's not going to be a server you're using, I wouldn't worry about it, most providers shut down the servers until they're in use again and they'll typically install from an image.

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