Memory Cards

What is a memory card?

A memory card is a piece of hardware that uses non-volatile memory to store information on itself. Memory cards are used in all sorts of devices, such as:

• computers
• network devices
• digital cameras
• PDAs
• cellphones

We get all sorts of memory cards as donations, sometimes inside of devices. Some of the more common types of memory cards we receive are:

• Secure Digital (SD)
• MiniSD
• MicroSD
• CompactFlash (CF) I, II
• MemoryStick (MS), Pro, Duo
• MultiMediaCard (MMC)
• xD-Picture Card
• SmartMedia (SM)

Wiping a memory card

Why?

Memory cards, like HDDs, can have all sorts of personal information stored on them, so we need to treat them like HDDs when it comes to data destruction.

How?

We can wipe all these memory cards similarly to the way we process HDDs. To erase memory cards, you will need:

• a system running Ubuntu
• a USB multi-card reader (for using with multiple types of cards) or two

To prepare a system for erasing memory cards:

1. Plug the card reader into system
2. Open up a terminal

To erase a memory card:

1. Insert a memory card into the card reader
   • A window may open up automatically when a card is inserted into the reader. Go ahead and close the window that pops up.
2. Unmount the memory card - sudo umount /media/*
3. Identify where card is listed in /dev - dmesg|tail or dmesg|grep sd* in a terminal
4. Start badblocks - sudo badblocks -wvvf -c1024 /dev/sd[whatever this letter is in dmesg]
5. Wait until badblocks finishes
6. Remove and label memory card (write OK on card with a sharpie)
7. Store card in TARDIS

Things to be aware of

• The more memory cards you have connected to a system, the trickier it gets to tell them apart in dmesg
• The more memory cards you have connected to a system, the longer it'll take to test and wipe them concurrently
• You may need to wait for all cards in a card reader to finish testing and wiping before you can add cards to other card slots