Most Companies Don't Properly Delete Sensitive Data

In a previous post, I emphasized that simply deleting a file from a hard drive before disposing of it or selling it is not enough. If the file is not securely wiped from the hard drive with digital shredding software, the file may be retrieved if it falls into the hands of someone tech savvy enough. This may not seem like a big deal, but with people doing their banking and making purchases on their computers or storing tax records, it is extremely important that your data is securely removed before the computer or hard drive changes hands. Otherwise, the information you leave on the machine can be used to make you an identity theft victim.

This is even more important for companies that use computers to store credit card numbers, insurance information, or medical records. Companies that upgrade must be sure that old data is securely wiped before the machine is given away or sold. According to ScienceDaily, the number of second-hand hard drives that have been securely wiped has fallen to 33%. This puts the customers with information on those machines at risk of identity theft.

I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or extremely concerned. Granted, companies don't need to upgrade their computer hardware everyday, but the fact that we have second hand computers out there containing credit card or insurance information isn't exactly encouraging. After all, more and more people are acquiring the technical skills that would help them retrieve this information, especially kids growing up in this information age.

Keep your data safe and wipe those hard drives before getting rid of them. It's a small price to pay to prevent identity theft.

School Replaces SSN Identification with Hand Scans to Prevent Identity Theft

Many have wondered if perhaps biometric identification is the answer to preventing identity theft. At least one university is putting that to the test. Middle Tennessee State University is assigning new identification numbers (instead of Social Security numbers) and requiring hand scans for identification.

The school is requiring both for access to some of the university's facilities including the new recreation facility. The university stopped stopped printing Social Security numbers on ID cards years ago although some professors still had them. The new ID numbers and hand scans are moving them further from the Social Security number identification system and will hopefully aid in the prevention of identity theft.

The matter has been discussed in a number of resources on identity theft. Biometric identification is one method being seriously considered. Whether or not it will prevent identity theft on the level experts are hoping for remains to be seen. However, the method MTSU with both the identification numbers and the hand scan together is fairly limited in its use, so this appears to be a positive step for protecting both faculty and students.

Credit Freeze to Help Prevent Identity Theft

The credit freeze is one of the best tools you can use to help prevent identity theft. A credit freeze allows you to lock the data in your credit report at the credit reporting agency until you give them permission to release it. Without access to your credit report, an identity thief will have a lot of trouble gaining credit in your name.

Until recently, a credit freeze could only be made possible by state law, and you could not block your credit report if you did not live in a state that allowed it. However, starting in October, two of the big three credit reporting agencies will allow you to freeze your credit report no matter what state you live in. TransUnion and Equifax will let you obtain a credit freeze, and you don't have to be an identity theft victim to do so. But you will have to pay for it.

This is definitely a great way to help prevent identity theft, but it will only be effective if Experian offers a similar credit freeze service. In the mean time, if you live in one of the states that allows a credit freeze, you can have a credit freeze if you are a victim of identity theft or if your information has been compromised. This will give you control over who can access your credit report at all three agencies and will help you prevent identity theft if it hasn't already happened.