this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Would 'overwrite with zeroes' in gnome Disks work?
No, ssds have a ton of wear leveling where data is shifted around and not deleted. Deleting data wears out the SSD, so it is held as much as possible with the controller. SSDs are like 10% bigger than advertised just to prolong the life.
Even if you write the whole thing with random data then zeros, it will still have blocks in unaccessible (to normal users) places that contain old data.
Always best to use disk encryption or keep any sensitive data in filesystem encryption like plasma vaults or fscrypt.
That's good to know.
All of my own drives are encrypted except for a USB stick that I use for transferring files to a windows machine.