Why Data Security
Data security is critical to prevent identity theft, as discarded electronics can be a rich source for scammers to access confidential information. To protect your data, it is essential to use DOD-compliant data erasing software to overwrite data multiple times or physically destroy the hard drive.
Why Should I Destroy My Data?
Your data security is important. Discarded or donated computers, copiers, and media disks are a principle source of information for identity thieves. These items may seem like trash when you no longer need them, but scammers know their value as rich archives of confidential data.
Proper data security is a crucial element in preventing identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that identity theft was among the top three categories of fraud reported in 2017, most commonly occurring through credit card fraud. If e-waste (old electronics) isn’t securely recycled in the U.S. or is shipped overseas (a practice used by a majority of U.S. recycling companies), identity thieves can buy hundreds of hard drives and media disks at a time, fishing though them for Social Security numbers, bank account details, birth certificate copies, online passwords, passport photos, and addresses — all the personal data they need to create new identities, apply for credit cards, take out loans, and empty bank accounts.
How Can I Protect My Data?
ou probably know how to keep your data safe on systems and devices that you use regularly. But data has a longer life cycle than most people realize. Deleting it from a hard drive won’t remove it completely. Data is only gone once the hard disk has been either written over at least seven times with Department of Defense (DOD) compliant data erasing software or physically destroyed.