When a computer is replaced, it usually ends up in a closet, gets handed down to a family member, or goes to recycling. Before any of that happens, the data on it needs to be properly removed. Deleting files and emptying the recycle bin doesn’t do it. Those files can often be recovered with free tools.
What’s sitting on an old computer
- Saved passwords in the web browser
- Email, including years of client conversations
- Accounting files, invoices and banking details
- Scanned documents like IDs, contracts and tax forms
How to retire a computer safely
- Make sure everything you need has been copied to the new computer or your backup, and check that it opens.
- Sign out of Microsoft, Google, Apple and any software licences, so they can be moved to the new machine.
- Use the built-in reset with the option to clean or remove everything from the drive. On newer computers with encrypted drives, this makes the old data unreadable.
- For drives that held sensitive business data, have them securely erased or physically destroyed, and keep a note of when it was done.
Don’t forget the other devices
Phones, tablets, old servers, external drives, USB sticks and even office photocopiers and multifunction printers can store copies of documents. They need the same care.
If you have a stack of old equipment and aren’t sure what’s on it, we can wipe or destroy the drives and give you a record for your files.
Want a second opinion on your setup? Your first 15 minutes are on us. Call (403) 381-7080 or send us a message. Already a client and need help now? Start here.