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: Shutterstock
Privacy and data theft concerns are often-cited reasons for why people hang on to old electronics. The average person may not know how to ensure a laptop’s hard drive is unreadable or that personal data has been removed from a cellphone. Removing this data can be done in just a few steps, and we’ve compiled information and resources to help walk you through the process. Keep reading so you can recycle those old electronics and feel confident that your personal information won’t be compromised. Be sure to back up all your data before erasing your device. 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.