Question: I have several CD-ROMs with confidential data on them. Data security is my primary concern and I want to dispose of the CDs without fear of someone retrieving any of my data. How can I dispose of my data securely?
Answer: The security of your data is a valid concern and one that can easily be remedied. One way is to take a piece of sandpaper (the coarser grit the better) and give the surface of the CD-ROM a good sanding. Another way is to place the CD with data side down on the sidewalk, put your foot on top of the CD and twist it around vigorously. Both actions will scratch the surface beyond usefulness.
Of course you could also break the CD into pieces, but be careful as CDs can shatter into many sharp pieces when broken. For safety, you can always put the CD inside a section of newspaper before breaking it.
