Ridding your PC of sensitive data is a critical step before donating or recycling your old computer. Many recyclers, including our GreenBack Ecycle Program partner wipe hard drives but what if you don’t have a trusted recycler or are planning on giving your workstation to someone else?
Many people believe that deleted files and then emptying the recycling bin is sufficient to rid the system of personal or business data. Unfortunately, the operating system only deletes the information about where the file was located and even a non-expert can easily restore the deleted file. Overwriting the data or reformatting the hard drive won’t prevent a more sophisticated hacker from accessing the data. Even if you think you don’t have any secret or personal files on your PC, you should remember that critical information such as passwords are stored on your hard drive. You might not know these hidden files exist but a decent identity thief will know exactly what to look for.
The good news is there are some fairly simple data erasing solutions available that permanently remove files without leaving any lingering traces that could be used to restore them. One great solution is File Shredder. This free software download has been designed to meet government standards for secure file deletion. File Shredder rewrites files with a random series of binary data multiple times. The software offers five different shredding algorithms, each gradually stronger than the previous one. It also has an integrated Disk Wiper that uses the shredding algorithm to wipe unused disk space.
Once you have deleted your sensitive data, be sure to choose a responsible recycler that doesn’t just ship old equipment to developing nations overseas. You can find a recycler who follows best practices on the e-Steward network. Better yet, if you are in the Tampa Bay area, contact us to donate or ecycle your old equipment through our GreenBack Ecycle Program.
For more information on solutions for running your businesses’ technology more efficiently, visit our website or contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813 448-7100 x210