Identity Theft from Old Computer Hard Disks

Never sell a computer or laptop without erasing all the data on it.  Criminals scan newspaper adverts for second hand computers – an un-erased hard disk is too good an opportunity. Never dispose of an old computer or laptop without removing and destroying the hard disk.  You don’t know where it’s going to end up. Use an eraser at least 3 times – this may take some hours but is better than the alternative. 

The only truly safe method of destroying data on a hard disk is physical destruction.  When disposing of old CDs make them unreadable by physically damaging them.