Title: Disposing of a Computer or Phone or Tablet? Don't Give Away Your Personal Data as Well! (6/30/2015)
Headings: Personalized Computer Services
Personalized Computer Services
Content: hard reset," "hard reboot," "master reset," "restore to factory settings," etc. Summary
Don't jeopardize your privacy or give away your personal information or risk identity theft when you dispose of your computer or other technology. Just like you would shred important paper documents before putting them in the trash or recycling, for every piece of technology you're going to discard, ask yourself if there was ever any important data on it. If so, or even if you're not sure, don't get rid of that device until it has been thoroughly erased or physically destroyed. Remember that just because you may not be able to power on or operate the device anymore, a thief or scavenger who gets their hands on it may be clever enough to take it apart, remove its internal storage, and use other equipment to gain access to your valuable data. Don't make the mistake of assuming that a "dead" device no longer has your data inside! Where to go from here
Don't rush to get rid of your old equipment. Plan on having it erased or destroyed first. Don't throw your unwanted electronics in the trash. Ask if your town recycles them, or find a reputable vendor.