Why do users need to be concerned about disposing of old computers?
Computers often hold personal and financial information, including:
- Passwords
- Account numbers
- License keys or registration numbers for software programs
- Addresses and phone numbers
- Medical and prescription information
- Tax returns
- Files created automatically by browsers and operating systems
Just deleting files or reformatting the hard drive will not remove this information. When you delete a file, the links to reconstruct the file disappear, but the bits and pieces of the deleted file stay on your computer until they're overwritten and they can be retrieved with a data recovery program. To remove data from a hard drive permanently, the hard drive needs to be wiped clean or destroyed.
What can be done?
Utility programs to wipe a hard drive are available online and in stores where computers are sold. These programs are generally inexpensive. Some are available on the internet for free.
These programs vary:
- Some erase the entire disk, while others allow you to select files or folders to erase.
- Some overwrite or wipe the hard drive many times, while others overwrite it only once.
Consider using a program that overwrites or wipes the hard drive many times. Otherwise, the deleted information could be retrieved. Or remove the hard drive and physically destroy it.
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