06-15-2023, 12:47 PM
One comment about "scrapping" e-waste (e.g computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, pdas, disk drives, usb storage devices, etc.) -- please make sure that the data on these items are securely wiped off. A device can hold a lot of sensitive personal information (e.g. bank account numbers, passwords, etc.).
Doing a simple erase (or move to "trashcan") may not be sufficient to actually remove information from the device. And just because a device doesn't power up doesn't mean that the information cannot be retrieved from it,
There are software tools for securely wiping data from computers and laptops and removable storage (e.g. usb keys, external disk drives, etc.). Often times smartphones and pdas have a factory reset and a data secure feature. Use these if you can.
Otherwise ..for devices that don't power up or don't function "correctly", it might be able to remove any storage (disk drive, etc.) from the device and you might be able to securely erase the data from another computer. Otherwise it will probably require physically destroying the storage.
The following has some information on how to reset devices https://www.ecyclesolutions.com/blog/how...ectronics/
This might seem a little paranoid, but there is actually a dark-web/black-market for information. Doing a quick search:
Even a selfie photo where say a driver's license, or other document is visible is worth something out there..
Doing a simple erase (or move to "trashcan") may not be sufficient to actually remove information from the device. And just because a device doesn't power up doesn't mean that the information cannot be retrieved from it,
There are software tools for securely wiping data from computers and laptops and removable storage (e.g. usb keys, external disk drives, etc.). Often times smartphones and pdas have a factory reset and a data secure feature. Use these if you can.
Otherwise ..for devices that don't power up or don't function "correctly", it might be able to remove any storage (disk drive, etc.) from the device and you might be able to securely erase the data from another computer. Otherwise it will probably require physically destroying the storage.
The following has some information on how to reset devices https://www.ecyclesolutions.com/blog/how...ectronics/
This might seem a little paranoid, but there is actually a dark-web/black-market for information. Doing a quick search:
Quote:A Social Security number may sell for as little as $1. Credit card, debit card and banking info can go for as much as $110. Usernames and passwords for non-financial institution logins are $1, but it can range from $20 to $200 for login info for online payment platforms.
Even a selfie photo where say a driver's license, or other document is visible is worth something out there..