…or do I need to Erase Free Space as well as Erase with secure option. I'm prepping a Mac for resale.
In Disk Utility, does Secure Erase include the Erase Free Space option
Security
Related Question
- MacBook – Trying to securely erase hard drive, but Security Options not available (Mavericks)
- FileVault security hole when used on SSDs
- MacBook – Why is a secure erase ‘not necessary’ for SSD’s
- MacOS – Does FileVault 2 also encrypt the free disk space
- Disk Utility – How to Securely Erase Disk on El Capitan & Sierra
- Secure Erase SSD – How to Do It on Snow Leopard (10.6.8)
- ICloud – Which FileVault 2 recovery option is more secure – storing the recovery key in iCloud, or saving it somewhere yourself
- MacOS – How to securely erase Apple NVME SSD
Best Answer
Secure Erase supersedes Erase Free Space because it zaps the entire disk instead of just zapping a subset of the disk marked 'free space.' If you want to be sure the NSA can't read this disk, do the Most Secure 7-pass erasure.
BTW: The 7-pass job takes lots of time (many hours to days) and gives the disk a good thrashing, too. Its a good stress test.