Hard drive destruction 'crucial'

HARD DRIVES: GRAB AND SMASH Safety: Unplug the computer from the mains Opening: Latches or screws should provide easy access Earthing: Touch the metal chassis inside the computer case Locating: Hard drives are typically under CD or floppy drives on desktops Removing: Disconnect the wires at the back of the hard drive Remove any screws that fix the hard drive to the chassis and slide it out Smashing: The more thoroughly the better The only way to stop fraudsters stealing information from old computer hard drives is by destroying them completely, a study has found. Computing magazine Which? recovered 22,000 "deleted" files from eight computers purchased on eBay. Criminals source old computers from internet auction sites or in rubbish tips, to find users' valuable details. Freely available software can be used to recover files that users think they have permanently deleted. The only solution, according to Which?, is complete destruction - and it recommends using a hammer. A number of recent cases have shown the dangers in disposing of second-hand equipment, from which details as well as other personal files can be retrieved. "PCs contain more valuable personal information than ever as people increasingly shop online, use social networking sites and take digital photos," said Sarah Kidner, editor of Which?. "Such information could bring identity thieves a hefty payday." "It sounds extreme, but the only way to be 100% safe is to smash your hard drive into smithereens."

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