One can use "erasure" software to securely erase a hard drive, but various technologies could recover that data regardless of anything one tries to do software wise. What research I did says the best way is to degauss a hard drive and destroy the hard drive platter(s) to truly ensure permanent data erasure. some only show how it can be done with machines that cost a min of $1,400 to as high as $3,000+, some say if you get a degaussing wand, it will erase just as good. Is there any affordable way one can degauss their hard drive(s) without spending upwards of $1,000 just to get a machine, get someone sent out WITH a machine, purchasable magnets just as powerful as a regular degaussing wand, or is anything like that impossible for regular consumers like us?