A Simple macOS Tool for Securely Overwriting Files (Without the CLI Headaches)

Brianna Morgan — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:23:08 +0000

Secure file deletion on macOS is one of those things everyone thinks they have handled — until they actually need it. Whether you're dealing with sensitive documents, logs, exports, or personal files, securely overwriting data is still a real requirement for many workflows.

The problem?
Most built‑in or third‑party solutions are either outdated, overly complex, or require command‑line steps that non‑technical users won’t touch. And many GUI tools haven’t kept up with modern macOS changes.

A colleague of mine built Overwrite Pro to solve exactly this. It’s a lightweight macOS utility that securely overwrites files using safe overwrite patterns, with a clean drag‑and‑drop interface and zero telemetry.

🔐 Why this matters
Secure deletion isn’t just for high‑security environments. It’s useful for:

developers handling sensitive test data

journalists or researchers working with confidential files

privacy‑focused users

IT admins sanitizing files before transfer

anyone who wants to ensure deleted files stay deleted

On macOS, simply dragging a file to the Trash doesn’t overwrite anything — it just marks the space as available. Overwrite Pro performs an actual overwrite on disk before deletion.

🧰 What Overwrite Pro does
Securely overwrites files using safe, irreversible patterns

Works entirely offline — no telemetry, no analytics, no external services

Uses native macOS APIs for reliability

Supports drag‑and‑drop for quick workflows

Has a clean, minimal UI that fits macOS

Runs fast and stays lightweight

🖥️ Why it was built
The goal wasn’t to create a full “security suite.” It was to build a small, focused tool that does one job well: permanently destroy files in a way that’s simple, reliable, and privacy‑respecting.

📦 App Store
If you want to check it out, here’s the link Overwrite Pro
Would love feedback from anyone working in security, IT, or privacy. What features would make a tool like this more useful in your workflow?

Why I Needed a Safe Way to Inspect QR Codes on iOS (and the Tool That Solved It)

Brianna Morgan — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:19:32 +0000

QR codes have quietly become one of the easiest ways to deliver malicious links. They show up in phishing kits, physical social‑engineering attempts, fake parking meters, restaurant menus, and even printed scam flyers. If you work in cybersecurity or DFIR, you’ve probably run into situations where you need to inspect a QR code without opening it.

The problem?
Most QR apps on iOS automatically open the link or make external requests. Many also include analytics or third‑party SDKs — not ideal when you’re handling suspicious payloads.

A colleague of mine built QR Lume, a small iOS utility designed specifically for this problem. It lets you safely inspect the raw contents of a QR code inside Apple’s sandbox, with zero telemetry and no third‑party tracking.

🔍 What it does
Shows the raw QR payload without opening anything

Runs fully inside Apple’s native sandbox

Makes no external requests unless you choose to

Contains no analytics, no tracking, no third‑party SDKs

Supports scanning from camera or photo library

Includes a hex + string viewer for deeper inspection

🛡️ Why this matters
QR‑based phishing is growing, and mobile devices are often the weakest link. Having a safe, offline way to inspect QR data is useful for:

DFIR triage

Mobile security testing

Investigating suspicious physical QR codes

Teaching junior analysts safe inspection workflows

Privacy‑minded users who want to see what they’re scanning

📱 The app
If you’re curious, here’s the App Store link:QR Lume on the App Store

Would love feedback from anyone working in mobile security, DFIR, or privacy. What features would make a tool like this even more useful in your workflow?

DEV Community: Brianna Morgan

A Simple macOS Tool for Securely Overwriting Files (Without the CLI Headaches)

Why I Needed a Safe Way to Inspect QR Codes on iOS (and the Tool That Solved It)