How can i enable secure virtual memory

Question

Level 4

1,303 points

How can i enable secure virtual memory

When i checked About this Mac > More info > System Report and looked under Software i noticed my "Secure Virtual Memory" showed "Disabled". Now i am not particularly worried someone will haul an anchored down Mac Pro out of my home anytime soon but still, this would leave my SWAP file unsecured and possibly vulnerable for someone that has physical access to my Mac correct? My question is, how do i enable it in case i find the same to be the case on my MacBook Air, where i definitely do want it enabled?

Second question, unrelated, the Secure Empty Trash, how does it securely erase the data? A one pass, three pass or seven pass?

Thanks,

Jay

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3), 12-Core 3.06, 64GB RAM, SSD & 12TB

Posted on Apr 20, 2013 9:31 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

VikingOSX

Community+ 2024

Level 10

111,215 points

Apr 21, 2013 4:32 AM in response to jayv.

In Mountain Lion, Secure Virtual Memory is on by default, and is no longer a preference setting. You can verify it is on by the following Terminal command:

If there is some specific reason your secure virtual memory remains off, it may be unique to your machine configuration, or other speculative reason. Perhaps your 64 GB RAM configuration exceeds Apple's test in OS X for when Secure Virtual Memory should be enabled?

I would post a response to Apple Feedback, and certainly indicate you have 64 GB Ram installed:

MacPro

OS X

On the subject of Secure Empty Trash, Apple only offers that erased data is overwritten (no iteration suggested) with meaningless data.

Reply

Answer 2

jayv. Author

Level 4

1,303 points

Apr 21, 2013 12:17 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks for the reply VikingOSX,

I ran the command and got "vm.swapusage: total = 0.00M used = 0.00M free = 0.00M"

No mention of it being encrypted or it being there are all, maybe swap is disabled somehow? Do i really need it if it is disabled? Good suggestion to use the Apple Feedback, will do that and let you know what they said and so others can use this thread as a reference. While i'm at it i'll also ask more details about the secure empty trash, maybe they know more about that.

J.

Reply

Answer 3

xnav

Level 5

7,089 points

Apr 21, 2013 12:31 PM in response to VikingOSX

Perhaps your 64 GB RAM configuration exceeds Apple's test in OS X for when Secure Virtual Memory should be enabled?

or if a swap DS is needed at all!

Reply

Answer 4

jayv. Author

Level 4

1,303 points

Apr 21, 2013 12:32 PM in response to xnav

I have not (knowingly) disabled swap. Is not having it a bad thing, should i enable it? and if so, how would i do that.

Reply

Answer 5

xnav

Level 5

7,089 points

Apr 21, 2013 12:36 PM in response to jayv.

My guess is that with that much real OSX doesn't even allocate a swap file unless pushed to it. It's never 'good' to swap.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 22, 2013 2:29 PM in response to jayv.

I saw in another post today where you stated you were using PGP whole disk encryption. I wonder if that solution deliberately, or collaterally disables your secure virtual memory functionality?

Reply

Answer 7

etresoft

Level 8

46,098 points

Apr 22, 2013 6:08 PM in response to jayv.

Pr0digy V. wrote:

Second question, unrelated, the Secure Empty Trash, how does it securely erase the data? A one pass, three pass or seven pass?

Seven. But why would you care if you are using PGP?

Reply