Every bit of data you write to any disk after you’ve enabled FileVault on it is unreadable without the key, protecting it even if you lose the computer or it’s stolen.Įrasing the computer is now really easy, too. The Best Wayīy far, the best way to keep your data secure is to use full-disk encryption, e.g. This process has always been YMMV, but particularly if your setup is different than mine, expect variations. I’m also running Disk Utility directly on the MacBook itself, not over Target Disk Mode. I’m using a MacBook Pro with its built-in SSD. Note: Since this article was first posted, there has been some confusion about the setup used.

So how do we go about erasing these computers? And do those processes work? But that’s not true for modern MacBooks with their solid state drives Apple has even removed the option. With older laptops featuring spinning magnetic hard disk drives, a lengthy, random erase process was the best way to go. One flip-side of that benefit is that all that data remains inside that computer even after we’ve moved on to a new one, unless we take steps to erase it first. In the same amount of physical space that a magazine would take up, we can carry an amazing amount of data with us and work with it anywhere. Laptop computers, especially those with a lot of internal storage, are very convenient.

Secure erase mac