What is the difference between the Format, 1-Pass, 3-Pass, and 7-Pass options in the MetaDefender Kiosk wipe functionality?

Format, 1-pass, 3-pass and 7-pass describe various media-wipe processes, with respectively increasing levels of effectiveness.

The more effective the method, the more secure the method, and the more unlikely it is that any of the original data will be recoverable from the media post-wipe.

Format is the fastest (and least effective) of these methods, as it simply removes references to the files on the drive without physically overwriting the files themselves.

The 1, 3 and 7 pass wipe options physically overwrite all data stored on the drive with a range of differing algorithms, making retrieval of the original data much more unlikely.

The wipe/overwrite options are the only way to fully erase the contents of a drive or removable media.

Algorithm Details

Encrypted or private partitions

If a device has an encrypted or private partition, MetaDefender Kiosk may not be able to read it. For more information, please read Known Limitations of MetaDefender Kiosk.

Media with non-primary encrypted partitions can be blocked via the MetaDefender Kiosk Management Console>Configuration>Advanced Configuration>Multiple Partitions, as illustrated in the following screenshot.

The OPSWAT team highly recommends using the wipe functionality so that, should a drive contain any non-readable encrypted or private partitions, these will be thoroughly wiped along with any malicious or threatening files they contain.

How to configure the Kiosk Media

Wipe feature

To configure Kiosk’s wipe functionality, navigate to the MetaDefender Kiosk Management Console > Configuration > Kiosk UI > Wipe Method and select the appropriate options, as illustrated in the screenshot below.