Datathief windows3/19/2023 ![]() ![]() It’s not just computer processors you need to be aware of when you’re securing data on old hardware. If you only have a machine or two to wipe, these are good options, but a whole retiring fleet of computers could occupy you for weeks.ĭon’t forget these other devices may have drivers You can also buy devices that will wipe hard drives, but keep in mind that in-house methods can be very time-consuming. Here are some application-based options for DIY wiping, along with their limitations. Though this option is hands-off for your organization, and nice if you have multiple retiring devices, it can also be pricey. There are commercial services who use software (or even purging with powerful magnets) to wipe your data. Have your old hardware commercially wiped.Here are some tips for encrypting your data. This is an affordable option that leaves a jumble of gibberish to anyone who tries to break in. Goodwill Industries, for example, will wipe your hard drive to the standards of the United States Department of Defense. Donate to a charitable organization that will wipe your data before selling.There are several options to keep your private data out of the wrong hands when you dispose of old office equipment. Your options for securing data on old hardware It’s not worth the risk of handing valuable data over to that grinning thief. But the danger is in forgetting that one time you used a printer to scan Social Security cards, or banking account information, or an application that included private information. If HIPAA regulations don’t apply to you, it’s easy to assume your data is old or benign enough to remain without securing. HIPAA has a security rule that requires that all private health information (from old prescription bottles to the files on an old computer) is properly destroyed before disposal. Well, for starters, you may be legally or policy bound to properly secure data on old hardware. Why bother wiping or encrypting your ancient hardware, if everything you used it for has gone the way of the floppy disk? Many people don’t think about the implications of failing to secure data on old hardware, and data thieves bank on this ignorance as they collect more sensitive information on discarded equipment. Learn more about your options for disposing of old hardware. Or maybe they come across it at a thrift store, or even have it shipped to their door off eBay. Imagine the grin on a data thief’s face when they realize they hit the jackpot: a thoughtlessly discarded computer processor in a dumpster. I would still run the Boot And Nuke program first, however.Don’t give thieves access to your data when you clean house If you don't need your hard drive anymore, physically destroying it is the best way to keep your data from falling into the wrong hands. ![]() You can even load it up with a few essential programs you know they'll need.Įveryone has that moment where you want to smash your computer. Plus, you'll be saving them the work of re-installing the computer's important programs. That way, if you miss something it won't be a catastrophe. I recommend this method only if you're giving away your computer to someone you know. Like Darik's Boot and Nuke, these write over your deleted information multiple times to make sure it's really gone. Grab a program like Eraser for Windows or Permanent Eraser for Mac. You can do this even if you aren't getting rid of your computer. However, there is a way to fully erase personal data while leaving Windows and programs alone. Most of what makes a computer worth having is the software. You might not have the installation disks anymore, or maybe you don't want the hassle. You'll need to re-install the operating system and programs. Of course, that leaves you with an empty drive. That's how the CIA and military wipe their information. This formats your drive, fills it up with junk information, and formats the drive again. To really get rid of it, you want to use a program like Darik's Boot And Nuke. On larger hard drives, there are still big empty spaces where your old data is just sitting around. Users of Windows 7 and prior should consult their computer manual for the best way to do it.įormatting makes a data thief's job tougher, but not impossible. Windows 8 users can go to PC Settings>General>Remove Everything and reinstall Windows. You can do this manually or just re-install Windows. ![]()
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