Gadgets
Selling your phone? Ensure data is erased, not just formatted
New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) Before disposing off old gadgets like hard disk drives or mobile phones, you need to ensure that data is securely wiped — not just formatted — by a recognised software data erasure to avoid passing sensitive data to strangers, hackers and cyber criminals, warns a study.
The findings, applicable to both individuals and corporates, showed that nearly all hard disk drives available on second-hand marketplace sites contain a huge amount of confidential data.
“Most consumers in India are unaware that data can be recovered from their legacy drives and mobiles and steps like formatting are not enough for ensuring data privacy,” said the study by data migration solutions provider Stellar Data Recovery.
Consequently there is a grave risk of private and confidential data from these legacy devices being passed onto the buyer of such devices.
The study exposed the non-familiarity of the vast majority of Indians with data sanitisation methods, often referred to as data erasure methods or data wipe methods, wipe algorithms, and data wipe standards.
As part of the study, multiple hard disk drives were purchased from a major online platform which facilitates buying and selling of second-hand products.
For the sample collected, sensitive and high-risk data was uncovered in 100 per cent of the cases, the study released this week said.
The researchers found that the majority of the drives purchased for this study were formatted but not wiped using any correct method.
After running a simple ‘Do It Yourself’ data recovery software available online, huge amounts of data contained in the files was recovered in a short period.
In one such hard disk drive, the comprehensive business details of an automotive showroom, including monthly sales, historical sales records, pricing list, feedback forms and complete customer information comprising names, addresses and contact numbers was identified.
In another case, complete personal information comprising name, age, PAN card details, date of birth, phone contact list, bank statement, credit card statements, personal photographs, software, music and videos were recovered.
The study also highlighted that not only are individuals at risk for identity theft and leakage of sensitive personal information but also the companies are at an increased business risk and financial risk as well.
Erasing data using a regulatory compliance software is a sustainable technique over physically destroying the storage media, said Stellar Data Recovery.
–IANS
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Business
Apple is giving a huge discount on its gadgets: Details inside
If you want to buy an iPhone and were waiting for a nice offer, then we have a piece of good news for you! Amazon Summer Sale May 2022 has begun and they are offering major discounts on various smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs, among others.
The sale is live now on the e-commerce platform with no-cost EMI options and exchange discounts on various products. In addition to this, Amazon has also partnered with several banks including ICICI, Kotak Bank, and RBL so that customers get instant discounts of up to 10% using their cards and EMI transactions.
Customers can easily enjoy this summer sale and get massive discounts on iPhones. They can also compare prices on Flipkart Big Saving Days Sale 2022 before making a purchase.
Amazon Summer Sale May 2022: Discount offer on iPhone 13
Apple’s coveted phone model iPhone 13 in the 128 GB storage model will be available during the Amazon Summer Sale May 2022 for Rs 64,900. The MRP of the phone is Rs 79,900. This means that the customers will be able to enjoy a discount of up to Rs 15,000 on the purchase of the iPhone 13.
If you have an old iPhone in working condition then you will also be eligible to receive another additional discount worth up to Rs 17,000 on the iPhone 13.
Buy at Rs. 64,900 (MRP – Rs. 79,900)
Features of Apple iPhone 13
The iPhone is powered by an A15 Bionic processor with 6 core CPU. Apart from this, it has 16 core neural engines. With the iPhone 13, up to 512 GB of storage will be available. The iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch Retina XDR display with 1000 nits brightness.
The iPhone 13 has a 12-megapixel dual rear camera setup. This time a new wide-angle camera has been given, whose aperture is f/1.6. With this, there is support for sensor optical stabilisation. Night mode has been made better than before. The second lens is also 12 megapixels ultra-wide and has an aperture of f/2.4.