How to Safely Dispose of Old Devices

For those of us who came into possession of a new device during the holidays, one priority should be taking steps now to secure this equipment so as to not introduce new vulnerabilities for an office or home that can be exploited by attackers (WaterISAC previously published a series of tips on securely configuring new devices from its partner MS-ISAC). But while it’s important to secure new devices, we must also not lose sight of the need to take proper measures with old devices, especially if they are to be discarded. For starters, it’s important to back up data so that it’s not lost as you transition to a new device (although this step is more about data management, backing up data is a cybersecurity best practice in general, and in particular for the ransomware threat). Next, it’s important to understand that formatting a hard drive doesn’t wipe all of its data. There are specific processes for this purpose, depending on the device’s operating system, and there are also the options of physically destroying drives and taking them to specialists to perform this task professionally. Lastly, some may consider recycling their devices, such as donating them to a worthy cause or a needy relative or friend. Of course, if going this route be sure to follow appropriate advice, such as from the manufacturer, to ensure your data has been completely purged. Read the article at We Live Security.