Apple + Security & Privacy

In a recent article, we discussed that refurbished iPhones may contain personal data, since Apple does not wipe the hard drives clean. While there is no tool to fully reformat an iPhone (the “restore” procedure you can perform from iTunes merely erases catalogue data and re-installs firmware), there are ways you can, if not securely delete your data, at least overwrite it. The Securosis web site has an article explaining how to do this.

Basically, this involves filling the iPhone with as much music as possible, so its storage is overwritten. Securosis suggests doing this three times, with three different playlists; this overwrites the original data three times. This is a simple and prudent way to cover your tracks. Think about doing it if you have to send an iPhone for repair or exchange.