66% of used hard drives still hold sensitive data

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Security researchers have found in tests that if you buy a second-hand hard drive on eBay, you will probably end up getting a lot more than just the hard drive.

In their tests, the researchers found that 66% of the second hand hard drives still contained sensitive data which had not been deleted properly.  The previous owners of the computers had just deleted the files with the standard Windows delete function, which of course is easily reversible given the right software.   This then opens the door to identity theft and a whole host of other scenarios, especially if the documents relate to things such as corporate secrets or sexual preferences… you get the idea.

All people need to do is install a secure deletion program such as Eraser or Ultrashredder.   Then they won’t have to worry about this!

Can you recommend a secure deletion program that you like and use?


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