It’s a new year, and data security is a significant issue as technology and data theft evolve. Many consumers received new electronics over the holidays, which means many retired IT assets have been discarded or thrown away. Some even leave old electronics on the curb to be someone else’s treasure, but what if the device wasn’t the only thing taken? Today, we offer some tips for data security for the new year.
Data: Receiving new electronics can be a distracting experience, and often, our old devices are discarded immediately. Some may take the time to delete a few apps or an account here and there for whoever ends up with the device next. Most don’t realize that even after you delete things, a large amount of data is still stored on the device. Personal information, such as your name, bank account information, passwords, purchase history, etc., is still there for anyone to find if not disposed of properly.
Security: Keeping your data safe should be a priority before and after upgrading to a new device. Strong passwords help prevent anyone from hacking into your device, typically a random mixture of meaningless numbers and characters that can’t be easily guessed or associated with anything in your life. Firewalls and anti-virus protection are another source of protection for browsing during the holidays and keeping your passwords and software updated. Hard drives left behind contain data left over from previous usage. Encrypting this data makes it more difficult for someone to read it.
Recycling: The most effective data protection method when disposing of old electronics is recycling. Not only is this an environmentally friendly option, but most recycling facilities wipe data from old electronics before recycling, ensuring that no personal information is leaked. When retiring old electronics, finding an ITAD provider that puts your data security first is crucial.
IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI International Inc. collect old, retired IT assets, whether they’re old mobile devices, desktops, or tablets, and ensure they are processed in an eco-friendly manner. HOBI focuses explicitly on maximizing economic return and mitigating potential environmental liability. Data security is our top priority. HOBI ensures that all data is completely wiped from each device via an internally developed data erasure tool, the HOBI Shield®, enduring peace of mind for our clients.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.