<prompt> Human: Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but as the title suggests I did something really stupid with an old desktop computer and need advice. The wife and I are moving houses soon and I had a very old desktop computer CPU tower? that I wanted to throw away. Again, I know its stupid, but I decided to put it by our trash can under a pile of a bunch of other crap we were throwing away. Its bulk trash day in our neighborhood tomorrow and apparently someone decided to come by and dig through the trash and take the computer along with some other less important stuff from the trash pile old broken bike, old printer. I havent used the computer in well over 10 years and its just been collecting dust in my attic. The contents of the computer are important to my story. Basically Ive had this computer since college so it has a bunch of pirated tv shows, music, and you guessed it: porn. I honestly dont remember what else was on it but its very possible that it would have some personal information on it. Im mostly concerned about the personal info and less so about the porn. I dont really care but I am concerned if someone would try some sort of blackmail. I put it outside on Sunday and its been sitting in the 90 degree heat and getting wet with the sprinkler for a couple of days. So here are my questions:1 is there any hope that the computer simply doesnt work anymore?2 its not password protected Im stupid I know. What should I do as far as notifying my bank, credit card companies, etc? I honestly dont think any of my current financial information is on it since its so old and from college.3 any hope that the person who took it was just looking for scrap metal? Or someone less fortunate looking for some free hand me downs and not something more sinister?Thanks for any feedback. On mobile so very poor format and organization.  <response>: Not to completely let you off the hook but most of the people dragging garbage off lawns are looking to make a few bucks on scrap or are hoarders. They arent identity thief masterminds. My bet is that thing ends up in a landfill as you intended, buried in someones garage till they die in 20 years and then the garbage, or wiped and used as a kids word processor or something. The chance for something bad to happen is there - but it is far more likely nothing will come of it. 