Title: How to Remove Data from Electronics Before Recycling | Earth911
Headings: How to Remove Data from Electronics Before Recycling
How to Remove Data from Electronics Before Recycling
By Kathryn Sukalich
Back Up Your Data
Use a Data Erasing Program
If You’re Still Concerned, Consider Physical Destruction
Recycle or Donate

Content: Photo: Shutterstock
Back Up Your Data
To prevent anyone from accessing your data in the future, you’ll need to make sure it’s permanently deleted. Before erasing anything, though, be sure to back up your data. This may seem obvious or you may think there’s nothing you need saved on your old device, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. There are plenty of options for backing up information, including external hard drives, flash drives and online options, so select a method that works for you. If you need help with this, Lifehacker offers advice about back up methods, and PC World explains what you should back up and how often. It is likely you will need to download a program to erase a hard drive or use a disc from your computer’s manufacturer. Photo: Shutterstock
Use a Data Erasing Program
Once you’ve made sure your data is secure elsewhere, you’ll need to erase all that information from your device. For laptops and desktop computers, this will require special software because simply deleting your files or reformatting your hard drive won’t suffice.