replacing your computer hard drive few

Replacing your computer hard drive? A few precautions...

By: D. Jones, Recovery Advocate

Tired of that old computer and ready to get a bigger, better, faster

model? Let's face it, we all use computers and most households have at

least one. The way current technology moves so quickly our systems are

outdated by the time we finish paying them off. If you're thinking of

purchasing a new computer or trading one in here are a few things to

consider:

* Back up all your data from the old system and then wipe the drive

* Purchase a drive wiper program that removes all sensitive data

from your hard drive and gets it ready for it's new owner

* Purchase software that transfers data from your old computer to

your new one

Maybe you remember hearing the story, a while back, about the cell

phone users that bumped up to a new plan and changed phones. All of

those phones were supposed to be wiped before resale but some of them

were not, leaving the previous owner's personal information in the

hands of the new owner. Or perhaps you heard about the more recent

snafu with Loyola University where a computer containing SSNs of 5800

students was scrapped. You guessed it - the computer's hard drive

wasn't erased.

Keeping these precautions in mind when buying a new computer can

really help protect your information from falling into the hands of

identity thieves.

Posted by D. Jones at 9:39 AM