Exam 220-1002 topic 1 question 147 discussion

Straight from the official CompTIA Core 2 Study Guide: Low-level formatting (disk wiping) What people call “low-level formatting” in the context of security is not really low-level formatting (at least not in the sense that it’s done at the factory), but rather high-level formatting plus zero-filling all sectors of the hard drive. The A+ 1002 exam objective 2.9 calls this drive wipe. I understand this doesn't make things much clearer but from what I am gathering - Overwrite is what is done (the action) during a low-level format. Low-level Format is the METHOD (making D the correct answer). Both will get the job done, but low level is more correct because they are asking for a METHOD. The book also describes there are 2 different types of Low-level formatting. One can be done w/ special software by a user and one is done at the factory. The low level method done by a user just USES overwriting, so D is my final answer lol

C. Overwriting/Disk-wiping is the correct answer. cuz real LLF should be done at the factory of HDDs not at the workplace otherwise the headers of HDD will be missing. compTIA states in their study book for core 2 the following: LOW LEVEL FORMAT Most disk vendors supply tools to reset a disk to its factory condition. These are often described as "low level format tools" and will have the same sort of effect as "disk-wiping" software. A "proper" low level format creates cylinders and sectors on the disk. This can generally "only be done at the factory". The disk utilities just clean data from each sector; they don't recreate the sector layout.

Overwriting replaces existing data with random or predefined patterns (e.g., 0s, 1s, or random characters), ensuring the original data cannot be recovered. This method is ideal when you want to reuse the drives and still ensure data is irrecoverably removed. It’s commonly used in enterprise settings for secure data erasure while keeping the drive usable.

Electromagnet (Degaussing) A large electromagnet can be used to destroy any magnetic media, such as a hard drive or backup tape set. The most common of these is the degaussing tool. Degaussing involves applying a strong magnetic field to initialize the media. (This is also referred to as disk wiping.) This process helps ensure that information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

I was confused by this as well...but per Meyers book D should be correct, just confusing wording from Comptia. The CompTIA A+ exams want you to know the difference between a standard format and a low-level format. You already learned about standard formatting back in Chapter 9, so how is low-level formatting different? With older drives (pre-1990s), low-level formatting would create the physical marks on the disk surface so that the drive knew where to store data; in the process, it erased the data from the drive. This was initially done at the factory, but utilities existed to repeat this operation later. As drives became more complex, hard drive manufacturers disabled the ability to perform low- level formats outside the factory. Today, the term “low-level formatting” is often used to describe a zero-fill or overwrite operation. This process returns the drive to a state as close to like-new as possible by writing zeros to every location on the drive.

Answer is A Degaussing is a unique technique of the permanent deletion of data applicable to memory devices based on a magnetic media (hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tapes on open reels or cassette)

there are many 3rd party LLF tools, for example: https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

The answer is D. See Dion's explanation below "OBJ-2.9: Low-level formatting is a hard disk operation that should make recovering data from your storage devices impossible once the operation is complete. It sounds like something you might want to do if giving away a hard disk or perhaps discarding an old computer that may have contained useful and important private information. Standard formatting of the drives could allow the data to be restored and make the data vulnerable to exposure"

My problem with this question is that low-level format deletes ALL drive data including the hardware header which makes it unusable. That is why only manufacturers can use it. They have the specific drivers and hardware code needed for the drive to function and they install these after a low-level format. The correct answer should be a Drive Wipe, which writes everything but the hardware header to zero.

TO COMPLETELY REMOVE ANY DATA FROM A DISK THAT WILL BE REUSED YOU SHOULD DO A LOW-LEVEL FORMAT, IT FORMATS THE INFORMATION IN THE DRIVE SECTORS LIKE THEY DO AT THE FACTORY WHEN THE DISK IS NEW, THERE ARE THRID PARTY TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED BY ADMINS TO DO THIS LIKE 'HDD low level format tool" ITS A FREEWARE.

"They" don't correct anything, but then they ask us for membership otherwise the "I am not a robto" schtick over and over. Hey team Examtopics, try improving your process then may be we'll subscribe.

We need to correct this Answer to Standard Format

This is a CompTIA question. The following link may work in real life "https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/low-level-formatting-of-disk/f062a67c-cbfb-423f-ab2b-c14159255d36"

But low level formatting can only done by manufacturers. I saw three questions similar to this so far which all of them are confusing. Can someone explain?

whats with the low formating againg?

Low level format means a specific thing and needs to be dropped. It's wrong. Unfortunately CompTIA think they're right.

low level is the old way now it is just a standard format if you don't need to get rid more confidential files