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User profile for user: ckralc
ckralc Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

External hard drive - how to be sure securely erased?

I have a Lacie external hard drive that is encrypted. Unlike all the other external drives I have, when I try to erase this drive in disk utilities, it does not give me the "Security Options" [from fastest to most secure] so that I can choose the level of secure erasing that I want.


Questions:

  • When I erase the drive, it is done in less than one minute - is this secure?
  • Is it true that as the drive is encrypted, even a quick one pass erase means the disk is securely erased?
  • Is there anything else I should know?


Catalina 10.15.4


What I've tried:


  • On a MacBook Pro running Mojave the Lacie Drive does give me the "Security Options".
  • I have been erasing and reformatting a few drives on this iMac running Catalina and have not had the same problem.

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 20, 2020 2:28 PM

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User profile for user: ClassicII
ClassicII
User level: Level 4
1,097 points

Posted on Apr 20, 2020 2:34 PM

Hello, It all depends on what kind of drive. Apple does not include the Security Options for a SSD drive because it's not needed.

You mentioned that the drive is encrypted, once you erase the drive you are throwing out the FV2 keys.


If it's a spinning hard drive then yes, you can run a multiple pass erase (even though its not needed becase again it was encrypted.)

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User profile for user: ClassicII
ClassicII
User level: Level 4
1,097 points

Apr 20, 2020 2:34 PM in response to ckralc

Hello, It all depends on what kind of drive. Apple does not include the Security Options for a SSD drive because it's not needed.

You mentioned that the drive is encrypted, once you erase the drive you are throwing out the FV2 keys.


If it's a spinning hard drive then yes, you can run a multiple pass erase (even though its not needed becase again it was encrypted.)

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External hard drive - how to be sure securely erased?

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