If someone browsed your computer, what would they find? We’re guessing a lot of photos, some music, and a bunch of deleted passwords, addresses, and financial and medical statements. Did you not know that most of those things are still linked to your computer even after you delete them? Well, they are; and that’s why it’s important to have proper computer information elimination.
Step 1: Wipe Your Hard Drive.
Before you do this, save any files you would like to keep to a USB drive, external hard drive, or new computer. There are many programs online and in stores that can clean out your hard drive, but consider using ones that wipe it several times so no information can be retrieved. If you use your computer for business purposes, make sure to follow the laws that dictate the proper data security requirements when handling certain client information. (See Step 3 for best practices.)
Step 2: Dispose of Your Computer.
There are many routes you can take when getting rid of your computer once you’ve cleared the hard drive. You can recycle it by checking the manufacturer’s website or the EPA for electronic product recycling programs. You can donate the computer to a charity of your choice; or, you can resell it to a person or organization, and get some money back on your investment. If you’re still worried about other people having access to your information, see Step 3 and call a shred service.
Step 3: Call Complete Shredding Solutions
The most reassuring way to know that nobody can or will get a hold of the personal information on your computer is by having it shredded to pieces in front of your eyes. Complete Shredding Solutions offers media destruction services for hard drives, microfilm, and more. We can give you peace of mind knowing your information is safe from the wrong hands.
Complete Shredding Solutions is not just a shred service, we are equipped to destroy an array of business and consumer products, including non-paper items. We can shred pretty much anything! That is why we are true experts at computer information elimination. For more information about destroying your old computer and hard drive, call us at 516-442-1642.
