Before You Sell/Return/Donate Your Computer...Use Eraser & File Killer
If you ever sell your computer or return one after you've used it, I recommend you check out Eraser and FileKiller to wipe out any personal information you may have on your computer. Both programs are downloadable for free by SourceForge (Open Source Software).
"Eraser is a secure data removal tool for Windows. It completely removes sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns."
"It completely removes a file from your disk without leaving any track. It is very fast. It overwrites any deleted file with blanks or random data N times - where N is given by the user. Also, it changes the filename. No setup is needed."
As another precaution, you should clear your internet browsing history, saved passwords and cache files...then proceed to uninstall the browser program(s), as well as any other program you have installed. Oh, and don't forget to clear your recent items and empty the desktop trash when you're done!
With so many cases of fraud, identity theft and scams going on nowadays, it's important to safeguard your personal information, especially on your computer.
BOB & LEILANI SOUZA
Real Estate Investment Specialists
Southwest Placer County, CA
Bob Souza - 925.513.3400 - bob@souzarealty.com
Leilani Souza - 916.408.5500 - leilani@souzarealty.com
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We haven't ever returned a computer...as they age...tempted to throw them thru the ________ but this sure is good information...Have a very happy holiday !
This is very timely information for us! Thanks as we are looking to update with a new computer prior to the first of the year and now we know what to do with the old one prior to letting go.
Sally & David, thanks for stopping by! I've also been tempted to do the same thing...especially after I broke 'em! :)
Glad to be of help, Dick and Dixie! I'm sure there are more tips out there that I didn't mention above, so hopefully viewers will share them with us here. :)
Leilani
Bob nad Leilani, I have heard about the information that is left on old computers..thanks for the info..
Thanks for the tips ... I'm bookmarking as I'm in the market for a new computer right now! Thanks.
Sue
You're welcome, Pat...better safe than sorry when it comes to leaving personal info out there! :)
Glad to provide you with useful information, Sue! :)
Leilani
I get rid of my older computer, but I keep the hard drives and use it as additional storage
This is a great tip, and I like the fact that it's free!
Bob and Leilani, this is a great tip. Even if you reformat a hard disk, the information can still be retrieved. Thanks for the links.
Al, you are light years ahead of me...I have no idea what to do with a computer when it's turned off! :)
I love the freebies too, Richard...especially when it comes to software! :)
You're welcome, Michael...it's wonderful that programs like Eraser and FileKiller exist for that very reason! :)
Leilani
When I finally kill a computer it is SO dead this unfortunatley does not become an option. They are completely belly up.
Don't feel bad, Cheryl...this has happened to me on more than one occasion! :)
Leilani
Leilani - There's nothing better than free! Thanks for sharing these great tips!
You're welcome, Donna! :)
Leilani
Leilani - Thanks a million for this one. I am never sure what will take care of everything when I move up to another computer. I've bookmarked your post. (Come on over to my blog - your Romeo is one of the pets on the 12th day of Christmas)
I'm happy to share these cool tools, Susan! Romeo is one of the 12th day of Christmas pets? Really? I'm comin' over to check out your blog now! WOOF! :)
Leilani
Hi Bob & Leilani,
Great post and thanks for posting. I'll certainly download these programs because I donate my computers to a charity.
Wonderful idea, Don...I'm going to edit my post to say "Sell/Return/Donate" thanks to you! :)
Leilani