Hard drive hijacking

People disposing of their old computers could easily fall victim to identity theft - even if they delete files or wipe the hard drive, warns Which? Computing.

The computer magazine has been informed that criminals trawl council tips and internet auction sites for PCs, and then recover deleted data with the help of specialist software. This information could be used to make a fraudulent credit card application, order a new phone, or even apply for a copy of a birth certificate.

Which? Computing bought eight second-hand hard drives from auction site eBay and found that they still held information that could be confidential. Using free software downloaded from the internet, the computer magazine was easily able to recover 22,000 ‘deleted' files, including images, music files and spreadsheets.

The importance of disposing of data correctly is highlighted by the case of Alexander Skipwith, a Which? Computing reader from London. He was told by Mesh Computers that his faulty hard drive would be wiped of personal information before being sent back to the manufacturer. He subsequently had family pictures, bank statements and more ‘held to ransom' by a man in Latvia, who sent one of Alexander's most personal photos to show he meant business.

Alexander finally agreed a £100 fee plus expenses for the return of his information, but such data is worth more than that - it is estimated that the average UK citizen is worth £85,000 to an identity fraudster.

Which? Computing advises a non-technological solution to the problem: if you want to be absolutely sure your files are deleted, remove the hard drive from your PC and destroy it with a hammer!

Sarah Kidner, Editor, Which? Computing says: "PCs contain more valuable personal information than ever as people increasingly shop online, use social networking sites and take digital photos. Even if you delete your files, you'd be surprised how easy it is to recover your personal data. 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."