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Secure Erase Options

To secure erase when that option isn't available in Disk Utility.
For example, for SSDs.
Boot from another disk or recovery mode.
Erase the disk encrypted, with a complex key.
Fill the disk with zeros.
Erase it again, without encryption or with a different key.

Options to fill with zeros

If it is available, use mkfile, otherwise use dd...

mkfile SIZE FILE
Example: mkfile 200G File1
dd if=/dev/zero of=FILE bs=BLOCKSIZE count=BLOCKS
Example: dd if=/dev/zero of=File1 bs=1024 count=1000000
Warning: don't make bs too small or the process will be very slow.

Related Tips

Secure Erase from El Capitan
Secure Erase SSD
Erase a Disk from Terminal





I usually write a blog post about once a week. The latest post can be viewed here: Think for Yourself: In the end, everything is just an opinion. Be skeptical, and think for yourself! (posted 2026-04-25 at 21:12:02). Or go to the Home Page of My Blog to choose a post to view.

I do podcasts too! You can listen to my latest podcast, here: OJB's Podcast 2026-04-14 How Far is that Star?: How would we really know how big the universe is? Or subscribe to my podcast RSS feed, on my RSS Feeds page.

If you're not sure what to view from the thousands of pages on my site, here are some suggestions: My Latest Airshow Report (photos and movies from Warbirds Over Wanaka, 2026), My Favourite Wines and Beers (tasting notes for some of my favourites), An Interesting Astronomical Observation (learn a bit about astronomy from these observing notes), See Some Photos (A short rail journey through the Taieri Gorge), Read Some Mac Tips (Learn about how to use your Mac, and fix some problems).


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