Do you know it’s illegal in most states in the U.S. to throw away old computers in the trash?
If you are upgrading your PC or dealing with one that has reached its end of life or end of use, you must employ proper e-waste recycling to ensure it doesn’t end up in a landfill to harm the environment.
As things stand, electronic waste, including old computers, laptops, and mobile phones, is the world’s fastest-growing toxic waste stream. It poses extreme threats to the environment, human health, and societal well-being.
Additionally, carelessly discarded computers spell disaster to users’ privacy and online safety concerns, leaving your private data exposed to anyone with enough knowledge and malicious intent.
This e-waste recycling glossary covers essential terms to comprehend data destruction when retiring old tech, the benefits of doing it properly, and the harm you incur when you choose to be careless.
We’ll conclude the discussion by going through the various methods of effective data destruction and how to choose the right data destruction provider for your computer recycling needs.
What is data destruction?
Data destruction is the process of removing data from storage devices – physical and on the cloud – in such a way that it becomes impossible for anyone to retrieve that data.
It starts with wiping off all the data from the entire computer and all its hard drives. But it doesn’t stop there. Advanced data destruction techniques are used to write over on the drives, physically damage their storage components, or destroy the devices themselves.
These extreme measures render the data completely irretrievable, protecting your online safety and information from being compromised.
Why information must be destroyed
Failure to prioritize data safety during personal computer recycling results in the following harms among others.
Identity theft: Our sensitive personal information can be at risk with improper computer disposal. People can gain access to this information and assume our identities. It can result in financial fraud, legal consequences, reputational damage, and much more.
Fraud: If someone illegally gains access to your financial information or bank accounts through a discarded computer, they can make fraudulent purchases or apply for loans that you may know nothing about, but that you ultimately have to pay off, sometimes even in full.
Data breaches: If you handle sensitive work information on your home computer, the cost of data breaches can be immense. Especially if it occurs after an improper computer disposal.
Legal and financial penalties: Professionals such as in healthcare and law have to be extra careful with their computer recycling. If not handled carefully, it may not only result in data leaks but may also make you liable for multiple legal and financial penalties.
Other types of cybercrimes: Unlawful activities like online scams, exploitation, espionage, and other types of cybercrimes flourish when data destruction isn’t handled properly.
Choosing a method of data destruction
There are several different ways to destroy your data and protect your information. The one you choose depends on your device type, budget, the desire to reuse the device, and your environmental affiliations.
1. Overwriting
This is one of the most common and easily available methods of data destruction.
Special software is used to add new data over the old one, turning the entire thing into a random jumble of nothing.
Overwriting is cost-effective and relatively easy, and you can choose to do it on some parts of the drive and not the others. Plus, overwriting is more environmentally friendly than most other options.
A few cons: You can only overwrite on disks that are in pristine condition. If your computer’s hard disks have been physically damaged in any way, overwriting may not be possible. Also, if there are areas on the drives that are protected by third-party hosts, it again renders the process inefficient and unproductive.
2. Degaussing
Degaussing is the process of physically damaging the magnetic strip on the storage device so the existing data on it is destroyed. If you know a bit about computers, you know that degaussing by default can only work on storage devices with magnetic strips.
No magnetic strips, nothing to destroy.
In addition, degaussing services may be expensive as its products and equipment are highly costly. Plus, it doesn’t work when you want to reuse the device.
3. Physical destruction
Another method to consider is to get rid of the storage drives altogether. Physical destruction methods like shredding and incineration turn the storage devices of your computer into absolute mush, with no possibility of anyone being able to retrieve that data ever.
The biggest caveat with this solution?
Incineration uses extreme heating temperatures making the method an expensive environmental cost. If you decide to shred the hard drives, however, it might work.
4. E-Waste Recycling
So far, we have only discussed methods that relate to storage drives and devices. If you are not concerned about recycling the rest of your computer, choose the best method from any of the above and arrange your storage medium’s transport to a data destruction company.
However, if you are looking for a more holistic and sustainable solution, might we offer electronic recycling?
With e-waste recycling, a registered recycling firm will come and pick up your old computer. In their facility, they’ll take care of its whole recycling, with data destruction an integral part of it. They’ll choose the method they deem fit and take care of your electronic waste with the least cost to the environment.
Choosing the right e-waste recycling company
If you decide to get rid of your data destruction woes by way of partnering with an electronic waste recycler, what are the things you need to look out for to make sure you’re choosing the right people?
Below is a brief list.
High repute and good community standing
Start by researching potential firms that enjoy a good repute within your community. Visit their website, and if possible, their facilities too. Take a look at how they work, the certifications they hold, and their customer service reviews and scores too.
You want to partner with an e-waste brand that has extensive experience and a clear track record of not only handling the e-waste properly but also an unflinching insistence on data erasure standards.
Registered and licensed
Look for companies that are registered by the state and local authorities to manage electronic waste. It’s incredibly important because e-waste regulations vary by state. What works in California might be completely different in Minnesota.
Look for companies that are updated with their state and local guidelines on proper e-waste management, ensuring complete data security.
Robust data security measures
Every e-waste recycling firm you go to will tell you they are following the most updated e-waste recycling standards. But are you just going to take them at their word?
Institutes like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Defense (DoD) set standards on how best to handle data security protocols – including the most effective data destruction methodologies.
Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) is another organization that sets sustainability standards to follow. R2v3 is a famous one released by SERI.
While most of these standards apply to organizations and businesses, an e-waste recycling firm that complies with these standards even when handling personal computer disposals is surely someone you can count on for the most reliable and high-quality work.
Have a transparent and trackable data destruction process
Choose an e-waste recycling option where you can always track the progress of your computer recycling.
Many firms offer services where customers are given unique tracking codes through which they can monitor their old devices as they move from one recycling stage to the next. This not only gives peace of mind to consumers but also reflects a business with transparent processes.
Insist on receiving a Certificate of Destruction – a necessary document that confirms your data’s complete deletion and destruction.
Asset remarketing options
Some e-waste recycling firms offer to resell your products after refurbishing them back to new ones. If your device only had little damage and the data on it has been destroyed, a good recycler can transform it completely and increase your old tech’s resale chances.
Many of them would already have paid you in exchange for collecting your old tech. If they haven’t, ask if they offer any asset remarketing options and how you can benefit from them the most.
Conclusion
Electronic waste is not only bad for businesses but for the environment too. Yet, when it comes to the danger of personal information being leaked, the repercussions of carelessly discarded old tech can be huge.
To protect yourself from any such scenario, familiarize yourself with how crucial data destruction is when you are finally retiring your old tech from use.
Partner with e-waste recycling companies that offer the most sustainable and holistic data destruction services and turn your discarded device into a reusable asset again.
The post A Comprehensive Guide to Data Destruction for Personal Computer Users appeared first on Datafloq.
