are there any free dod standard HD wipe programs for osx.

Question

are there any free dod standard HD wipe programs for osx.

I'm thinking of selling my mac to get a macbook pro, and I want to make sure it totally wiped. I know there are some free apps for windows, but are there any for osx?

mac pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 4GB ram 2.66 dual xeons

Posted on Feb 5, 2010 5:51 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,518 points

Feb 5, 2010 6:07 PM in response to blackmajik2021

[See here|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1820] or [here|http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002] for emptying trash.

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Answer 2

i.3d

Level 2

420 points

Feb 5, 2010 6:47 PM in response to blackmajik2021

oops...
was about to repeat the previous post...

Message was edited by: i.3d

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Answer 3

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,179 points

Feb 5, 2010 7:05 PM in response to blackmajik2021

This gives you details on what you want - use Disk Utility in conjunction with its "Erase Free Space" feature and the "7-Pass Erase" option:

"7-Pass Erase" option

Writes data over the free disk space seven times. This provides a highly secure erasure of disk data. A 7-Pass erase takes seven times longer than a Zero Out Data erase.

Advanced: The 7-Pass Erase option conforms to the DoD 5220.22-M specification. This specification calls for three passes, but Disk Utility performs seven.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3680

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,518 points

Feb 5, 2010 7:12 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Apple's goes to --eleven-- seven.

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Answer 5

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,179 points

Feb 5, 2010 7:14 PM in response to Barney-15E

The truly scary thing is if you recall, Apple goes to thirty-five. 😀

"35-Pass Erase" option

This writes data over the entire disk thirty five times. This option provides highly effective security against the recovery of data. It takes 35 times longer to perform than the Zero Out option.

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Answer 6

Feb 5, 2010 7:33 PM in response to blackmajik2021

Either use the secure erase options described above or use a third party program, such as Dariks Boot and Nuke. Works on Windows and Mac/Linux machines.

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