Contact: Susan Lassetter
Photo by: Megan Bean
As technology is upgraded and computer owners move on to the newest model, they also must decide what to do with the "old" hardware.
Whether a tablet, desktop or laptop, any personal computer being sold or discarded presents the opportunity for some very personal information to fall into the wrong hands, says Wesley McGrew of Mississippi State.
An associate at the university's National Forensics Training Center, McGrew says owners have the responsibility to make certain deleted data stays inaccessible to those who might wish to engage in identity theft.
"Even if it's been deleted in a traditional sense, documents still can be recovered from an old hard drive and potentially fall into the wrong hands," he explains. "Personal documents such as email, banking statements and other information can be used to steal your identity or for other malicious purposes."
There even are cases of people purchasing old computers or retrieving them from the trash for the sole purpose of recovering deleted data, he notes.
McGrew provides a few simple steps to protect private information when selling or passing the computer to another. They include:
--Erase the drives with such tools as the free Darik's Boot and Nuke (www.dban.org) program to completely and irreversibly remove all data, including the operating system.
--Reinstall the original, or purchase a new, operating system.
--Run the system's update feature to make sure all the latest security patches are installed.
--If destined for the trash or recycling bin, physically destroy and safely discard the discs with the machine. (McGrew recommends removing the hard drives, then, following proper safety procedures, using a drill to render them useless.)
He says it's also important not to discard old personal electronics with regular trash because of chemicals and materials they contain. Instead, seek out large electronics stores that offer specialized recycling programs.
For more about proper electronics disposal, visit http://greenergadgets.org/.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see www.msstate.edu.