Why proper disposal is key when you upgrade

Everyone loves their devices—from smartphones to tablets to laptops, we use them to shop, do our banking, communicate with clients, family, friends, store personal photos, notes and much more. And it’s because we use devices to manage so many aspects of our lives, both personal and professional, that they contain a massive amount of confidential information. So before you decide to sell an old phone or give it away, check out the top reasons you should shred devices instead:

What’s Your Password?

If you’ve removed your SIM card assuming that this is the key to your personal information, think again. All devices have internal components that store things like passwords, usernames, account numbers, etc. And, no matter how complex you made your password, it’s not safe to assume that a hacker can’t crack it.

Factory Restore?

Although most stores and cell service providers will recommend you restore your phone or tablet to its factory default, the fact is, many studies have proven that there is often information left behind that criminals can access. One study, conducted at Cambridge University, found that 80 percent of the time, the team was able to gain access to authentication tokens, which held confidential information of the previous owner.

Hammer time!

Smashing an old device may be a great way to relive stress but it’s not enough to ensure you’ve wiped it clean. The fact is, any tiny component of your smartphone or tablet can contain just enough information for a thief to get their hands on data that leads to your bank accounts, credit card information and much more.

Your life’s an open book!

Let’s face it, we all store loads of private information on our devices. From email addresses and contact information of everyone we know, to bank and credit card numbers, passwords, photos and so much more, there’s so much up for grabs if it’s lost or stolen. And while having all this data at your fingertips makes life so convenient, it’s also a risky prospect when you upgrade to a new device. To truly protect yourself from any kind of breach, all phones, tablets and hard drives should be properly and permanently destroyed.

There’s only one way to protect yourself and your personal information—have your old devices destroyed by a certified provider. At All Points Mobile Shredding, we can permanently destroy your old cell phones, tablets, hard drives, DVDs, CDs, floppy discs, media back up tapes and
x-rays. We also offer onsite destruction at your home or office to give you peace of mind that your confidential information never falls into the wrong hands. Give us a call today at (800) 696-8483 to find out more.