(I usually go with the DoD three-pass option.) Click Add Data to select the files to wipe and choose an erasure method. From there, a window pops up with the task and time-scheduling options. Just boot up the program, click the arrow next to the ‘Erase Schedule’ option at the top of the screen, and select New task. If you need to delete only specific files and folders rather than entire drives, the open-source Eraser is the tool for you. Securely erase specific files with Eraser Nevertheless, we have used all of these methods successfully in the past. If you do choose to erase your data with any of these methods, you do so at your own risk-which is why we advise making a backup before you begin. Department of Defense’s “Short” specification and for numerous militaries around the globe. Some utilities support “Gutmann”-level protection with 35 passes, but three passes is enough for the U.S. The more times you overwrite your data, the less likely it is to be recovered. A utility that makes three passes overwrites your drive with ones and zeroes three separate times. Each pass signifies a complete overwrite of the data. Drive-wipe utilities let you specify how many “passes” the software makes. If the Security Options button is not available, Disk Utility cannot perform a secure erase on the storage device.With that out of the way let’s talk terminology. Secure erase options are available only for some types of storage devices. (Optional) If available, click Security Options, use the slider to choose how many times to write over the erased data, then click OK. If the Scheme pop-up menu isn’t available, make sure you selected the storage device you want to erase-it’s at the top of the hierarchy.Ĭlick the Format pop-up menu, then choose a file system format.

Ĭlick the Scheme pop-up menu, then choose GUID Partition Map. In the sidebar, select the storage device you want to erase, then click the Erase button. If you want to erase any other type of storage device: Double-click Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities folder. Note: If you want to get your Mac ready to trade in, sell, or give away, and your computer is a Mac with Apple silicon or an Intel-based Mac with an Apple T2 Security Chip, use Erase Assistant.

Secure erase hard drive