May 22nd, 2008
How to wipe data off an iPhone
In reponse to reports that personally identifiable private information can be easily swiped from used iPhones sold on eBay, the tireless Rich Mogull has cooked up a nifty way to wipe data from iPhones.
Mogull admits his process is “not perfect” but it does look to be an easy way to overload the iPhone with music files to force an overwrite of the device’s storage. The Securosis.com consultant recommends the steps are followed multiple times, with multiple music playlists to make sure the device is wiped properly.
Here are Mogull’s six-step recommendations:
- Restore the iPhone from within iTunes.
- On the “Info” tab, un-check all options so you don’t synchronize calendars, email, bookmarks, and contacts.
- On the Photos, Podcasts, and Video tabs, uncheck “Sync…”
- Create 3 big playlists at large as the storage capacity of your iPhone.
- On the Music tab, select the first of your 3 playlists to sync. Make sure the storage bar at the bottom looks full after syncing.
- Sync your iPhone, change to the next playlist, sync again, and repeat one last time.
In the comments, someone also suggests:
After restoring your iPhone, jailbreak it and install OpenSSH. Then ssh into the phone and load up the /root folder with meaningless files. Whatever data stored there previously will get overwritten. Do this in conjunction with Mogull’s method to be completely thorough.
If you’re preparing that iPhone for sale on Craigslist or eBay ahead of the coming 3G version, the recommendations above can only help.
ALSO SEE: Mogull leaves Gartner and Mogull’s guest editorial on how desktop virtualization will save your company from Generation Y.
* Image source: nerichards Flickr photostream (Creative Commons 2.0)
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