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: If that device contains any personal or private information, you may be putting your privacy or security at risk, even if the device doesn't work anymore. The problem
Over time, almost any technology that you use will accumulate valuable data about you, your activities, your interests, your family, your business and more. Since all technology eventually wears out or stops working, or becomes less useful to you or obsolete, you will discard it at some point. What happens then to your data that's still stored in that device? Will some stranger be able to extract it and make use of it without your knowledge or consent? How can you protect yourself and prevent that from happening? Solutions
Here are the two most common general solutions to this problem. Before getting rid of your unwanted device, you should either: Erase it, using a thorough and secure method, usually using special software or the device's built-in "factory reset" or "erase" function, or
Physically destroy it (or just its internal storage), using a hammer, pliers, scissors, or (if appropriate) a powerful magnet. If you don't know how (or don't want to do this yourself), I recommend keeping the device until you can do it, or until someone you trust can do it for you.