Darik's Boot And Nuke

What is a bootable device?

A bootable device is any storage medium that contains the software needed to start a computer and run an operating system or utility. DBAN is a bootable tool, meaning it runs from a USB or disk and starts independently of the system’s installed operating system to perform data wiping.

Is DBAN free?

Yes, DBAN is free disk wipe software designed for personal use. It can be useful for basic data wiping needs, but it has limitations in terms of reporting, automation, and support for modern storage technologies.

Is DBAN certified data erasure?

No, DBAN is not a certified data erasure solution. It’s designed for personal or non-regulated use and lacks the verification and reporting required in enterprise environments. Certified solutions provide auditable proof of erasure—such as certificates and compliance with standards like NIST 800-88 or IEEE 2883.They also support more complex use cases that DBAN simply can’t handle, like mobile diagnostics and large-scale data center decommissioning, where visibility, automation, and compliance are critical. Blancco’s solutions are built to meet these needs across the full IT asset lifecycle.

Where can I get help with DBAN?

Support for DBAN is community-based. You can visit the DBAN Help Center at for documentation and access to forums where common questions and issues are discussed.

Can you wipe an SSD using DBAN?

DBAN is not designed to reliably wipe SSDs. Due to how SSDs store and manage data, specialized tools are required. For secure erasure of SSDs, enterprise-grade solutions such as Blancco Drive Eraser are designed to properly handle modern storage technologies and provide verifiable results.