FAQ
What is the difference between normal formatting and Secure Erasing your storage media?
The main difference between formatting a storage media and performing a Secure Erase is the level of data removal and the purpose of each action.
When you format a storage media, you are essentially preparing it to be used by creating a new file system. Formatting removes the file directory structure and marks the space as available for new data storage. However, the actual data on the media remains intact until new data overwrites it. Formatting is a quick way to prepare storage media to be reused in a new camera/device model, to be used for a new shooting project, or to fix minor issues, but it doesn't completely erase your existing data.
A Secure Erase is a more thorough process that goes beyond formatting. It involves setting the card back to "Factory Reset" and effectively rendering the original data unrecoverable. We only recommend using Secure Erase in order to regain the storage media's original "out-of-the-box" performance or to permanently delete the data (irrecoverable) on the storage media.
When you format a storage media, you are essentially preparing it to be used by creating a new file system. Formatting removes the file directory structure and marks the space as available for new data storage. However, the actual data on the media remains intact until new data overwrites it. Formatting is a quick way to prepare storage media to be reused in a new camera/device model, to be used for a new shooting project, or to fix minor issues, but it doesn't completely erase your existing data.
A Secure Erase is a more thorough process that goes beyond formatting. It involves setting the card back to "Factory Reset" and effectively rendering the original data unrecoverable. We only recommend using Secure Erase in order to regain the storage media's original "out-of-the-box" performance or to permanently delete the data (irrecoverable) on the storage media.
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