Dispose of Your Old Devices Like a Tech Pro

Getting rid of an old phone, tablet, or laptop can be surprisingly tricky. While the temptation is to toss them in a junk drawer or post them on a local marketplace, tech professionals follow a stricter protocol. To clear out your tech graveyard like an expert, follow these essential tips:

• Back up your data first. Before severing ties with your hardware, ensure every photo, contact, and document is synced to a secure cloud service or an encrypted external drive. Once you begin the wiping process, there’s no turning back.
• Sign out of all accounts. IT pros know a factory reset doesn’t always de-authorize a device. Manually sign out of iCloud, Google, and find-my-device services to ensure the hardware isn’t “locked” to your identity.
• Perform a factory reset (and then some). Standard resets are a start, but for maximum security, use “Secure Erase” functions if available. For traditional hard drives, some pros use data shredding software to overwrite the disk multiple times with random patterns.
• Destroy, don’t sell. While selling may seem lucrative, the safest way to reduce risk is physical destruction. To do so, remove the storage media (like a hard drive or SSD) and physically compromise it with a drill or a hammer. If the data never leaves your sight in a readable format, it can never be stolen.
• Use a certified e-waste recycler. Never throw electronics in the trash, as they leak heavy metals into the soil. Seek out recyclers with R2 or e-Stewards certifications; these organizations are audited to ensure that your destroyed devices are broken down into raw materials responsibly.

Remember, these devices aren’t just convenient, they carry a life’s worth of private information. From your credit card number saved on your favorite online shopping site to your health information in your hospital system’s online portal, we enter a massive amount of valuable private information into our devices.

Staying ahead of scammers’ advancements might seem overwhelming, but Jeanne D’Arc has resources to keep you in the know to defend your money and data. Visit our Fraud & Theft Protection page and subscribe to the Money Mill Blog for more information and best practices to keep your data and money safe.