Snow Leopard's Secure Delete Doesn't Work With SSDs

Forum Moderators: travelin cat

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Snow Leopard's Secure Delete Doesn't Work With SSDs

travelin cat

8:46 pm on Feb 21, 2011 (gmt 0)

You probably know that "secure delete" built in to Snow Leopard is supposed to write over your data multiple times to theoretically prevent the data from ever being recovered.

Apparently the algorithms used on SSDs (solid-state drives) to make them look and operate like a hard drive are different then what the secure delete software is expecting to find.

Zdnet has all of the details:

SSDs, Mac OS X and data security don’t mix. Not only does the standard file delete not delete files - which savvy readers already know, but even the Mac’s “Secure Erase Trash” function leaves 2/3rds of a file recoverable.

[zdnet.com...]

weeks

8:58 pm on Feb 21, 2011 (gmt 0)

Holy ....
So, don't sell your Mac, keep it or destroy it.

SevenCubed

9:04 pm on Feb 21, 2011 (gmt 0)

SSDs (solid-state drives)

A while back I saw someone else discussing using a SSD in a server in another thread. I put it on my list of acronyms to look up. Never did get around to it. Now I'm crossing it off, thanks.

timster

10:14 pm on Feb 28, 2011 (gmt 0)

So, don't sell your Mac, keep it or destroy it.

Only if your Mac comes with an SDD. Otherwise, destroy your keychain drive instead.

Plus, the article deals with deletion of individual files. If you have sensitive data, you should reformat your disk drive in a secure way before selling it.