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Q: how secure is the erase all setting and data on the ipad 3

im using the ipad 3 and im thinking about selling it since I don't really use it. I wanna know how secure is the erase function the one that erases everything including debit cards and photos. has anyone ever been able to hack a ipad after its been erased and been able to pull old info off it?

MacBook Air, iOS 4.3.3, this is a brand new mac that i boug

Posted on May 15, 2015 5:24 PM

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Q: how secure is the erase all setting and data on the ipad 3

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  • by Skydiver119,

    Skydiver119 Skydiver119 May 15, 2015 5:40 PM in response to kickboxing42930
    Level 7 (28,378 points)
    iPad
    May 15, 2015 5:40 PM in response to kickboxing42930

    It should be fine. Now if the FBI gets their hands on it and want to take it apart and hack their way in they might be able to accomplish it. But your average 'whee I got a new iPad' user won't be able to.

     

    If you're concerned, do the erase all content and settings, set it up again and fill it up with something worthless, like movies or something, then erase all content and settings again and your personal data is not only removed but written over which makes it very, very hard for anyone to retrieve.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black May 15, 2015 5:40 PM in response to kickboxing42930
    Level 7 (24,872 points)
    May 15, 2015 5:40 PM in response to kickboxing42930

    See Apple's document - iOS: Understanding 'Erase All Content and Settings' - Apple Support

     

    Since the iPads support hardware encryption of data, the erase all content actually erases (over writes) the encryption key.  The data remains actually, encrypted by very strong AES encryption, and without any decryption key to be used (or recovered) it cannot be decrypted.  It will then get over written with use of the device.  The advantage is that the process is much quicker than overwriting the entire solid state storage space.