It’s always exciting to get new computers, cell phones, and tablets but your old equipment can be used to hack you and your office! Computer devices (including computers, servers, smart phones, and tablets) store all of your private information and the keys to your digital kingdom. Access to your old equipment is a treasure trove of information for the bad guys! Once you throw your equipment out (either in the trash or sent for recycling) you lose control of everything you hold dear in your digital life. That’s why it’s critically important to securely wipe any electronic equipment before disposal.
Even broken equipment can be used against you! Just because your computer or phone won’t power on or work properly doesn’t mean that your personal information can’t be recovered. We help out customers on a regular basis recover documents, pictures, emails, and financial records from dead devices . . . but if we can do it then the bad guys can too. Sometimes broken equipment can be an even bigger target for attackers since most people don’t securely wipe them before they get returned, exchanged, or recycled.
As always, check with your IT support first but here’s some recommendations on how to wipe your electronics before disposal.
Office Computers
Send them to your IT provider for secure disposal. Deleting your files isn’t enough; even a factory restore won’t always meet your company standards. Your IT provider can make sure that all the nooks and crannies are cleaned out before equipment is sent for disposal.
Personal Computers
Use secure wipe software such as Active@ Killdisk or DBAN to securely erase all information. SSD drives require special care. An alternative is physical destruction but even running over the electronics with a car might be enough. All storage devices such as hard drives and solid state drives need to be removed and physically destroyed or crushed ensuring all the chips and platters are destroyed.
Servers
Always sent to your IT provider. Due to their redundant nature servers take extra care when being wiped for disposal. Servers also often store the most critical financial data and intellectual property of your computer making them a great target for attackers. Secure server disposal isn’t free but is worth every penny for your security!
Phones/tablets
Phones and tablets vary widely but most have a factory reset option which will clear most information. If the device has a storage card (such as a MicroSD card) then it needs to be removed and wiped separately.
If the phone or tablet has company information on it (such as your company email or access to company systems) then consult your IT provider to make sure your disposal meets company policies. Some secret and top secret information requires extra special handling.
Properly disposing of old electronics is crucial to protecting your personal and business data. Whether it’s a broken phone, an outdated server, or an office computer, ensuring your equipment is securely wiped or destroyed can make all the difference in keeping your information safe from hackers. When in doubt, consult your IT provider- we’re here to help make sure your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Take the extra steps to safeguard your digital life and avoid unnecessary risks.