Technology is changing very fast, rendering old devices and equipment useless. And as soon as you upgrade to newer and better technology, you need to get rid of the old ones too.
However, not many people are aware of the hazards that old computer devices can cause, when not disposed off properly.
Besides, no matter what you do, there are still data signatures in old computer devices. And you wouldn’t want your crucial data to land in the wrong hands.
So, what is the right way to dispose of old computers and other equipment?
By the end of this article, you’ll be pretty handy with the techniques to follow.
Back-up Your Data
Before anything else, you need to make sure that you don’t lose your critical data. You can opt for a physical hard drive, or back your data on the cloud.
When backing up on an external hard drive, you must make sure that the device has enough storage space for all your data. Likewise, when you’re backing up the data on the cloud, you must ensure that you choose the right plan.
You might also have some programs that auto-sync your data over the cloud. So, you need not backup these programs, but only the archives or system data for these programs.
Clean/Wipe
After you have all your data backed up, the next thing you ought to be doing is clearing your computer. In other words, you need to wipe the system clean, virtually.
First, you should delete all the data, and format the hard drive of your computer. Experts at https://www.cjdecycling.com/ suggest that you should also remove all the ‘temp’ files and other backup data.
There have been cases, where hackers have got their hands on cache files and demanded ransom for not sharing the data with others. You definitely wouldn’t want to land up in such a situation.
You should also clear any cache from your browser. And lastly, reset and restore your computer to factory settings. This should revert any changes that you’ve made to the computer.
Recycle/Resell
If you wish to be reselling your old computer, you might want to make sure that it has been restored to stock condition. However, if you wish to sell it out to be recycled, then you need to find the right recycling service.
Notably, recycling computer devices is not the same as recycling plastic. There are some pretty dangerous materials inside your computer. For example, a lot of hard drives and computer chips contain heavy metals. And if disposed off in the open can cause severe health hazards.
Besides, as already mentioned there are still data signatures on your computer. So, you need to ensure that the recycling partner destroys the data and the hard drive completely.
Usually, recycling companies for e-waste use drilling and thrashing practices to get rid of data traces, along with the hard drives. Once and for all.
Depending on the purpose you used your computer for, you might need to get some additional help. It is suggested that you get in touch with experts and professionals who specialize in handling e-waste.
Leave a Reply