| Q1: |
Who is responsible for data erasure? |
| A1: |
The data itself is the property of the user, and the user should be responsible for its deletion. |
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| Q2: |
What methods are available for data erasure? |
| A2: |
The following four methods are available.
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 Use data eraser software to overwrite the data.
Electrically erase memory data using a specialized device or command.
(Format in a way that erases data.)
Use a camera, etc. to fill the media to capacity with scenes of
no importance.
Physically destroy the media.
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| Q3: |
Where can data eraser software be obtained? |
| A3: |
Inquire at shops selling memory cards, or check the Web site of the memory card vendor. |
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| Q4: |
Data eraser software uses various methods, and there are also military standards for data erasure. What is the recommended method? |
| A4: |
While there are military standards for data erasure from hard disk drives, they are not considered applicable to the memory cards in flash memory products, for which it is sufficient to overwrite the data once with a fixed pattern. Overwriting a second time takes longer but is generally considered to achieve complete erasure. We recommend using software that leaves a log indicating whether the erasure was completed normally or an error occurred. |
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| Q5: |
Are there data erasure services available? |
| A5: |
Inquire at the service and support desk of memory card vendors, shops selling memory cards, and support firms, or check the vendor Web sites. |
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| Q6: |
Can data be erased by formatting in a digital camera? Also, how is data erased by shooting unimportant scenes? |
| A6: |
This depends on the digital camera and memory card type. Inquire at the service and support desk of memory card vendors, shops selling memory cards, and support firms, or check the vendor Web sites. |
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| Q7: |
If data cannot be erased by specialized software, what else can be done? |
| A7: |
We recommend use of a data erasure service offered by memory card vendors and dealers. |
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| Q8: |
Can data leakage be prevented by formatting a memory card on a PC, using the camera USB link or a reader/writer (PC Card or USB type)? |
| A8: |
It depends on the specification of the digital camera or reader/writer controller, but formatting in this way does not necessarily wipe the data from the area where it is stored. It may still be readable using specialized software. |
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| Q9: |
If a memory card is defective and no longer usable, how can the memory data be wiped from the card before disposing of it? |
| A9: |
Even though a memory card is defective, the memory itself may still be operational, making data recovery possible. We therefore recommend physically destroying the memory card before disposing of it. |
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| Q10: |
If an error occurs when using data eraser software to wipe a memory card, what can be done? |
| A10: |
Since the data may not have been erased, we recommend physically destroying the memory card before disposing of it. |
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| Q11: |
If a memory card is defective and is sent for repair, what precautions should be taken? |
| A11: |
Ordinarily, when a memory card is repaired, no guarantee is made that the data recorded in the memory will be retained after the repair. We therefore recommend making regular backups of important data.
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