iPhone 2.0 software securely erases user data

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 25th 2008 at 4:36PM

The fact that the iPhone doesn't securely erase user data when you select "Erase All Content and Settings" has prompted a lot of hand-wringing (and given rise to a lot of complicated manual workarounds) as people get ready to flip their old phones and upgrade to the iPhone 3G, but it looks like there's a simpler solution coming: AppleInsider says the iPhone 2.0 software now securely erases user data. The process is apparently similar to Leopard's Secure Erase Trash feature, and it'll unlink data and overwrite it with random bits, making your personal info impossible to recover. Of course, that'll take some extra time -- you're looking at an extra hour of progress bars in your life. That's not so bad -- and if it keeps anyone from checking out our super-embarrassing 80s pop playlists, we're all for it.

[Thanks, Mark]

Filed under: Handsets, Apple

Tags: 3g iphone, 3gIphone, format, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g, user data, UserData

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

kbiel @ Jun 25th 2008 4:55PM

Eh, we don't care what you listen to as long as you don't get a Flock of Seagulls hair cut.

Neutral

Matt @ Jun 25th 2008 7:04PM

Too little too late. My iphone I sold on ebay was stolen so if those sophisticated bandits can hack my phone they'll be able to call all of my stupid friends!

Neutral

Gutier @ Jun 25th 2008 7:13PM

The second screenshot is FAKE.
Look at the distance between "Erase All Content and Settings" and "Reset Network Settings" and "ResetKeyboard Dictionary". They are the same.
Now look right behind "This will delete all media and data, and resetall settings. This will take about an hour" and you can se a watermark that says "Reset Homescreen Layout".
The distance from "Reset Keyboard Dictionary" to "Reset HomescreenLayout" is too short and does not make sense. In the 1st screen shotthe distances they match, even the one behind "This will delete allmedia and data, All setting will be reset as well"
FAKE FAKE FAKE!! btw...cant wait for July 11th!!!!

Neutral

d0rk @ Jun 26th 2008 12:03PM

It looks like it is actually a grouped list with 3 buttons (much like the top two buttons are grouped). It looks like there will be another reset option in this new group below the network reset button.

I don't think I'd rule it out as a fake just because the screen layout is slightly different.

Neutral