Junk King Sonoma

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Tag Archives: e-waste

How to Remove the Hard Drive for Computer Disposal

There’s definitely no shortage of opinions when it comes to ways to remove the personal information on your hard drive for computer disposal.

Some experts recommend giving the hard drive to a certified refurbisher while others say that the only way to get rid of your personal information is to take matters into your own hands.

There are security experts who advise consumers literally take a hammer to their hard drive’s magnet platter to obliterate any trace of old emails, usernames, passwords and sensitive financial information.

Hard Drives and Computer Disposal 

A computer’s hard drive is the nerve center when it comes to storing information. This extends to all of the pictures and music that you’ve downloaded (legally…) over the years as well as all of your personal PC preferences and programs.

Even your operating system is localized on your computer’s hard drive. You are probably starting to get a pretty clear picture, if you don’t already have one, of how identity thieves would like nothing more than seizing your hard drive for personal gain.

Whether you’ve decided to destroy your hard drive prior to computer disposal – or prior to going the recycling or donation route – heeding one or more of the rules listed below will potentially save you a ton of hassle later and peace of mind moving forward.

A Professional Hack Job 

In a good way…there are companies out there whose job it is to shred your hard drive and ensure that your personal information doesn’t see the light of day.

You can either mail your hard drive to a company that shreds hard drives, which brings up its own security vulnerabilities, or deliver your hard drive in person to a local shredder.

A shredding service can work to your advantage if you’re a homeowner with a closet full of old computer hard drives, or a business owner trusted with overseeing the personal and financial information of your employees.

Wiping the Slate Clean 

One of the most popular ways by which you can clear your hard drive is with a program that overwrites the existing data with random, jumbled characters.

Free utilities like Active@KillDisk can wipe the slate clean, so to speak, and offer features like true parallel erasing as well as Linux-compatibility for Mac users.

Some people think this option still doesn’t do enough to protect their, or their employees’, personal information, so they enlist the help of a professional refurbisher to get the job done.

Certified Hard Drive Refurbisher 

This would be a good option to take if your computer is relatively recent (i.e., less than five years old) and you’d like to donate your computer to, for instance, low-income families through a non-profit.

Having your hard drive refurbished and eventually reused is an environmentally responsible option as well since it keeps fewer potentially toxic parts in circulation.

Too often the fruits of recycling programs wind up in third-world countries, supporting their development while (unfortunately) causing fresh environmental problems. Going the refurbishing and donation route obviates that problem and keeps old parts in the rotation.

A certified refurbisher is also an excellent option if you’re a business owner who has hard drives with employees’ sensitive financial information on it. Why? Because a certified refurbisher uses foolproof data destruction techniques for guaranteed success.

The Caveman Option

There are some really smart people (and, frankly, some luddites) out there who insist that the only way to keep yourself safe is with a screwdriver, hammer and protective eyewear for the deed itself. While destroying your hard drive’s magnetic platter is definitely foolproof, it’s best done outdoors.

 

Junk King Sonoma
1364 N. McDowell Blvd Ste 8
Petaluma, CA 94954
Hours: M-Sa: 8A-4P

Providing junk removal services to the Sonoma area, including:

Annapolis
Cloverdale
Cotati
Fulton
Geyserville
Glen Ellen
Graton
Healdsburg
Kenwood
Penngrove
Petaluma
Rohnert Park
Santa Rosa
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Windsor
and these nearby zip codes:
94926, 94927, 94928, 94931, 94951, 94952, 94953, 94954, 94955, 94975, 94999, 95401, 95402, 95403, 95404, 95405, 95406, 95407, 95409, 95412, 95425, 95439, 95441, 95442, 95444, 95448, 95452, 95472, 95473, 95476, 95492