When a computer comes to the end of its service life, normally after around 7 to 10 years, it is important to dispose of it correctly for a number of reasons; most importantly to save and protect your personal data, but also to consider the environment.
The data storage device in your computer is the Hard Drive, a small internal component around the size of a small paperback book, or much smaller in a laptop. The Hard Drive stores all your personal information along with the computer’s operating system and application files. When we decommission a computer we remove the hard drive and give it back to the owner for archiving. I recommend keeping hold of old hard drives to ensure the data is kept out of the hands of scammers, and in case any data is needed from it in the future.
I’ve heard of people attempting to destroy their hard drives with hammers, burning or drowning, but these are all futile becauseit’s possible for data to be retrieved from a fragment of a hard drive’s surface even after these attempts. Data recovery isn’t cheap or practical, so your average domestic scammer probably wouldn’t go to these lengths just to see your cat videos, but if you want to erase evidence of your organised crime syndicate then burning or smashing isn’t the right method.
There are companies who specialise in forensic data destruction, using military-grade methods to erase hard drives and leave no trace of any information, but the costs are high;a few hundred pounds for a single drive. It’s possible to erase a hard drive at home too; software tools like UBCD can be downloaded. But before you erase your old hard drive, do consider if it would be better to store the working (or semi-working) drive in a safe place, just incase you might needit.
Once the hard drive is removed or erased, the rest of your computer or laptop is sterile and can be safely disposed of, either through a recycling scheme, sold on or sent to the council recycling centre where it will be disposed of ethically. Remember that if you buy a new computer, the retailer is obliged, under WEEE regulations, to dispose of your old computer for you, so ask them to remove the hard drive and hand it back to you for safe keeping.