Identity Theft with Hard Disk Drives

Identity theft can happen to anyone even via computer and the hard disk drives.  With an exponential rise in the development of computer chips and electronic gadgets identity thieves are capitalizing on the growing computer market to steal personal information.

Identity theft with hard disk drives – a fractional example
If recently you had the privilege of replacing your old PC with a new one, I say: congratulations!  I certainly hope that you didn’t just throw out your old computer.  If you did a lot of bad things can happen if your hard drive wasn’t taken out of the chassis before disposal.  Your computer’s hard drive is the storage device that keeps your files, including those that contain personal information.  If you still have a chance, go to the alley and pick it back up.

Here’s what to do next
Once you have your old PC back in your possession connect it to your monitor, mouse, keyboard and proceed with deleting anything and everything.  Specifically, look for personal information folders such as: My Documents, Mike’s Documents, Mary’s Documents, or any other folders where you know sensitive information resides.

Turn off and unplug…
Then, I recommend having you, or someone that can operate a screwdriver, open up the case of the old computer.  Take out the hard drive by unscrewing it from the chassis and unplug all the dangling wires.  Also, take out your random access memory chips, better know as RAM, and have them in your possession.  Go back to the alley, or where ever your throw out your trash and leave your old stripped down computer to meet its maker.

Identity theft is nearly prevented
All you have to do now is destroy the hard drive and the RAM sticks.  Well, how are you supposed to do that?  RAM memory which can leave snippets of information are the easiest to dispose of.  Just burn them, just like you would burn your junk mail, to prevent identity theft.  The hard drive, or hard disk, is harder to destroy.  Whatever you do don’t stick it in the microwave like they do in the movies.

You can keep your hard drive in a safe or if you have a safety deposit box at the bank put it there.  Optimally, I wish I could disintegrate the steel with my eyes, but the Superman job was taken.  If you don’t have a safe, safety deposit box, and you don’t posses super powers keep the hard drive at home or bury it in a remote location at least six feet underground.  There are services that provide hard drive disposal at a cost.

Why dispose of a deleted or formatted hard disk?
If all else fails, I hope so does your old hard drive.  These devices are meant to take a beating and even if you delete or format the hard drive you are still susceptible to identity theft.  Most storage devices, including hard disks, store information that can be retrieved at least partially with utilization of restoration software.  Hence, I hope you will get the drive to dispose of your old computer so your life doesn’t end up hard.

The disgruntled giver
If you don’t believe in throwing things away, and you are a giver, understand that your charitable donations will be hugely appreciated by identity thieves.  Stop identity theft before you give your computer away to a friend, recycling center, or a charity.  Don’t feel bad that you won’t give away your credit score rating and bank account information which is hiding on your hard drive.  Granted you never used your computer for any personal information, even user names and passwords, you can go and give, give, give.  Of course, the last one was a bit sarcastic.  Prevent identity and credit card fraud by taking out your hard disk drives, flash memory, CDs & DVDs, and other writable media before you dispose or donate.