Permanently deleting photos from a memory card

9 years 4 months ago #420175 by Blake Vogt
I see post popping up talking about recovering accidental photo deletes from memory cards.  What if you wanted to permanently delete all trace of the photos?  So that there is no recovery.  Is that possible? 


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9 years 4 months ago #420187 by Baydream
After formatting the card, you would need to shoot over them. A ton of work depending on  the size of the card. If you know in advance, better to use a small card and then a hammer.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
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9 years 4 months ago #420189 by garyrhook
There are programs available that can perform a secure erase by writing over a device. I'm sure you can find one that will work on memory cards.

or just delete the files then try to copy a very large file (ie a video file) onto the card until you run out of room. That will destroy the previous files just fine.


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9 years 4 months ago #420230 by Alex
:agree:   nailed it

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9 years 4 months ago #420248 by Flash Steven
Once you format a card, then take a photo over that card.  That will destroy any chances of getting anything prior. 

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9 years 4 months ago #420283 by garyrhook

Flash Steven wrote: Once you format a card, then take a photo over that card.  That will destroy any chances of getting anything prior. 


That is incorrect. Please read my post above.


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9 years 4 months ago #420309 by Roman Omell
Break the card in half if you are going to discard the card anyway.  


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9 years 4 months ago #420874 by Prago

garyrhook wrote: There are programs available that can perform a secure erase by writing over a device. I'm sure you can find one that will work on memory cards.

or just delete the files then try to copy a very large file (ie a video file) onto the card until you run out of room. That will destroy the previous files just fine.



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