"Seagate Faces Counterfeit Hard Drive Scam: Global HDD Maker Aware of Used Seagate Drives Being Sold"
Seagate Exos and IronWolf Pro hard drives are being targeted by scammers who alter QR codes, drive serial numbers, and tamper with SMART parameters to make used hard drives appear unused. Experts warn that counterfeit Seagate hard drives can log thousands of hours of operation despite being powered on for only a few minutes. To verify a drive's true condition, users can use tools like smartmontools to retrieve hidden operational data.
- The fact that scammers are exploiting the FARM value system used by Seagate but not by Toshiba and Western Digital highlights the importance of understanding the specific security measures in place for each brand.
- What role do regulatory bodies play in policing the counterfeit hard drive market, particularly when it comes to global brands like Seagate with a large customer base?