Even More Privacy Issues

http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/54888.html?imw=Y

When you donate your old, pathetic, and mostly useless computer, keep one thing in mind: the disk. Forget everything else - just go after the data. Whitewash as much as possible. Many good software can accomplish the task painlessly, and they're worth the investment.

You simply do NOT want someone to have access to private data (SS numbers, medical records, employment details, financial data) etc. If they're a nice person as the one in the story above, you won't lose anything. However, if an ID thief buys up your computer from the local donation center, who knows what he can turn up? And imagine what he could do with it - a virtual goldmine of data begging to be (mis)used.

The main problem is (as it is everywhere else) lack of data awareness, and fear (even disdain) of technology itself. Luddites that may pride themselves on their 'simple' life have NO idea how vulnerable they are, every time they encounter technology that gets and/or dispenses private data.

You are SAFE if and only if:
1. You do not have an SS number
2. You do not exist
3. You are a wandering saint
4. You have NOTHING to lose - not even your identity

So, before you chuck that computer of yours for a tax write-off, download a good disk-cleaning software, and scrub as much as possible. Remember - deleting files or moving them to the Recycle Bin or emptying the RB has no effect. The data is simply marked to be overwritten but the data itself is still there - invisible, but there, and can be very easily read by someone sophisticated enough to know how to run the right tool.

Whitewashing a disk usually consists of writing garbage over and over again to the disk (or writing 0s) until there is nothing left to read.

Next time you donate a computer, whitewash the heck out of it. And when you buy a used computer, clean it the same way and then install a fresh OS on it. You don't want to see/read/hear someone else's secrets just as you don't want yours to be exposed.

Be safe!