Checking USB flash drives and flash memory cards for correct functionality
Reset
Because the tested disk is completely filled by the F3 write test as described previously, you need to delete the existing files to use the medium for your own data again. This step can easily be done in a file manager.
Reconstruction
In overwriting the entire storage medium, F3 performs another useful task in passing – secure deletion of old files. Existing sets of old data can no longer be reconstructed after write testing the medium with F3. The 1GB files that F3 creates are filled with meaningless strings. Although you can recover them with forensic tools such as PhotoRec, you cannot access the user data originally stored on the disk. Therefore, F3 can also be used to get rid of sensitive personal data on flash memory cards or USB sticks that you want to sell, for example.
Conclusions
F3 is a tool that should be in place on the computer of any user who cares about the integrity of their flash memory media. This small command-line program not only tests various flash memory devices reliably but, when used properly, also overwrites existing legacy data, giving users a dependable way to prevent their data from being restored. The software takes up very little space on your hard drive, and its use is self-explanatory; even users who are not familiar with the technology of flash media will be able to cope with the application.
Infos
- F3: http://oss.digirati.com.br/f3/
- f3write and f3read: http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/trusty/man1/f3read.1.html
- Intenso stick: http://www.intenso.de/kategorie_en.php?kategorie=23
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Plasma 6.3 Ready for Public Beta Testing
Plasma 6.3 will ship with KDE Gear 24.12.1 and KDE Frameworks 6.10, along with some new and exciting features.
-
Budgie 10.10 Scheduled for Q1 2025 with a Surprising Desktop Update
If Budgie is your desktop environment of choice, 2025 is going to be a great year for you.
-
Firefox 134 Offers Improvements for Linux Version
Fans of Linux and Firefox rejoice, as there's a new version available that includes some handy updates.
-
Serpent OS Arrives with a New Alpha Release
After months of silence, Ikey Doherty has released a new alpha for his Serpent OS.
-
HashiCorp Cofounder Unveils Ghostty, a Linux Terminal App
Ghostty is a new Linux terminal app that's fast, feature-rich, and offers a platform-native GUI while remaining cross-platform.
-
Fedora Asahi Remix 41 Available for Apple Silicon
If you have an Apple Silicon Mac and you're hoping to install Fedora, you're in luck because the latest release supports the M1 and M2 chips.
-
Systemd Fixes Bug While Facing New Challenger in GNU Shepherd
The systemd developers have fixed a really nasty bug amid the release of the new GNU Shepherd init system.
-
AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta Released
The AlmaLinux OS Foundation has announced the availability of AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta ("Purple Lion") for all supported devices with significant changes.
-
Gnome 47.2 Now Available
Gnome 47.2 is now available for general use but don't expect much in the way of newness, as this is all about improvements and bug fixes.
-
Latest Cinnamon Desktop Releases with a Bold New Look
Just in time for the holidays, the developer of the Cinnamon desktop has shipped a new release to help spice up your eggnog with new features and a new look.