We've all heard the horror stories about what can happen if you don't delete information off your computer before you throw away, recycle or donate it. But it isn't home computers you have to worry about- it's just as important to erase data from work computers and mobile phones too- and to make sure you do it properly.
A Birthday Gift
Andrew wanted to give his sister a new computer for his birthday. Since he was a trusted employee, his employers at WardCo saw no problem with letting him have an old PC from work. The important files had all been deleted, after all; what could possibly go wrong?
Happy To Help
Andrew was happy to be able to help his sister, who got not only a PC but software too- all of it ready to use, and for free. Since Andrew knew his sister wouldn't use it for anything illegal, he saw no need to be over-cautious.
A New Owner
But three months later, Rhoda got an offer she couldn't refuse: a brand new iPad, and at a fraction of the recommended retail price. At first she didn't know what to do with the laptop, but then remembered her mate's nephew Joe was studying computer science, and needed a laptop.
The Wrong Hands
Rhoda deleted his personal files from the laptop, and then passed it on to Joe, in the same state in which he'd received it from Andrew. Sadly, though, Joe wasn't the trustworthy lad he appeared to be.
Complaints
A few months later, WardCo started getting complaint calls. Some of their customers had paid them for items- but never got them. With his basic computer knowledge, the nephew had found it easy to retrieve information from the PC's hard drive- not only about Andrew's sister, but also his company.
The Price
Several customers lost confidence in WardCo and took their business to other firms. WardCo were at least lucky that no money had been taken from their accounts, but Andrew's birthday gift to his nephew cost them thousands of pounds in custom.
What Went Wrong?
Donating computers is great for the people who receive them- and the environment- but if you don't make sure any sensitive data's been removed it can leave you wide open to attack from fraudsters. Just one computer in the wrong hands cost Andrew's company thousands, but imagine the potential consequences if you've just upgraded your company's computer system and have dozens to donate.
Don't Just Delete
Deleting your files won't necessarily safeguard you against fraud, and even if you reformat your hard drive, some criminals are technically skilled enough to retrieve the data.
Destruction Is Safest
To be sure of protecting your business, destroy the computer's hard drive- and that goes too for employee mobile phones if they've been used to go on the internet. They'll retain information accessed online - such as phone numbers, passwords and potentially sensitive data. To keep that information out of the wrong hands, destruction is the only safe option.
A Birthday Gift
Andrew wanted to give his sister a new computer for his birthday. Since he was a trusted employee, his employers at WardCo saw no problem with letting him have an old PC from work. The important files had all been deleted, after all; what could possibly go wrong?
Happy To Help
Andrew was happy to be able to help his sister, who got not only a PC but software too- all of it ready to use, and for free. Since Andrew knew his sister wouldn't use it for anything illegal, he saw no need to be over-cautious.
A New Owner
But three months later, Rhoda got an offer she couldn't refuse: a brand new iPad, and at a fraction of the recommended retail price. At first she didn't know what to do with the laptop, but then remembered her mate's nephew Joe was studying computer science, and needed a laptop.
The Wrong Hands
Rhoda deleted his personal files from the laptop, and then passed it on to Joe, in the same state in which he'd received it from Andrew. Sadly, though, Joe wasn't the trustworthy lad he appeared to be.
Complaints
A few months later, WardCo started getting complaint calls. Some of their customers had paid them for items- but never got them. With his basic computer knowledge, the nephew had found it easy to retrieve information from the PC's hard drive- not only about Andrew's sister, but also his company.
The Price
Several customers lost confidence in WardCo and took their business to other firms. WardCo were at least lucky that no money had been taken from their accounts, but Andrew's birthday gift to his nephew cost them thousands of pounds in custom.
What Went Wrong?
Donating computers is great for the people who receive them- and the environment- but if you don't make sure any sensitive data's been removed it can leave you wide open to attack from fraudsters. Just one computer in the wrong hands cost Andrew's company thousands, but imagine the potential consequences if you've just upgraded your company's computer system and have dozens to donate.
Don't Just Delete
Deleting your files won't necessarily safeguard you against fraud, and even if you reformat your hard drive, some criminals are technically skilled enough to retrieve the data.
Destruction Is Safest
To be sure of protecting your business, destroy the computer's hard drive- and that goes too for employee mobile phones if they've been used to go on the internet. They'll retain information accessed online - such as phone numbers, passwords and potentially sensitive data. To keep that information out of the wrong hands, destruction is the only safe option.
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