Denver Business Journal Technology Section

Safest, smartest ways to dispose of old devices

February 15, 2008 - by Gene Smith (general manager) of Mission Critical Systems

Sometimes buying decisions about sparkling new technology get hung up on what to do with the old -- chiefly computers, cellphones and PDAs ready to be retired.

Concerns about what to do often result in old devices gathering dust in a closet somewhere. While not the best solution, this is the default created in an environment where data theft is rampant (and becoming more sophisticated every day), and government regulations are clamping down on indiscriminate dumping in landfills and other disposal sites.

Plus, federal and state regulations are increasingly making it the corporate user's responsibility to protect customer data right on through the disposal process.

Twenty-plus states now require businesses to notify affected parties of any customer information that moves beyond the custody or control of the company. Many companies now have to prove that all sensitive customer data is erased.

Happily, new options for safe data erasure and/or re-use of old equipment are popping up regularly.

Once a device is data-free, the company can either re-task and keep it, donate it to an organization that will re-purpose its use or recycle it in an ecologically safe way.

Don't take anything for granted when erasing data.

For example, cellphone and PDA data is stored in flash memory, and it remains even when the battery is drained or removed. Owners need to hard-reset the hardware to erase all data.

Either find instructions for erasing data in the manual or on the manufacturer's website, contact the manufacturer directly to get the procedure, hire a qualified technician or use one of the up-and-coming data-erasure services.

ReCellular is one such service for such mobile devices as cellphones and PDAs. Go to www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/ to access its free data-eraser options.

After selecting the phone make and model, the user can download step-by-step instructions to erase cellphone data.

For computers, make sure the hard drive is completely erased as well. Again, either hire a qualified technician or service, or use a utility that overwrites every sector.

An article in the March/April 2007 MIT IS&T News points out that, "Deleted data can often be retrieved ...The same is true if you reformat a hard drive: It is still possible for someone with the right tools to retrieve data ... If wiping the drive yourself, use a utility tool that overwrites every sector of the hard drive with binary 1s and 0s.

"Tools that meet government security standards overwrite each sector multiple times for added protection."

The article lists several resources. Windows and Linux users can download the free Darick's Boot and Nuke (dban.sourceforge.net). Inexpensive Windows products include cyberCide, KillDisk, WipeDrive and DataEraser. Windows users also may use Webroot Software's Window Washer product.

Macintoshes with Mac Os X 10.4 can use Disk Utility secure erase options (docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303462).

Symantec's Wipe Info in Norton Utilities and System Works also will help with Windows PCs and Macs.

Then, there are services designed to securely dispose of old computers, such as GreenDisk's Computer and Component Recycling (greendisk.com).

If the recycling option holds appeal, there are a variety of choices. Increasingly, large consumer electronics companies -- such as Apple, Best Buy and Motorola -- have buyback and recycling programs.

Some websites enable you to access local services just by entering your zip code. My Green Electronics (mygreenelectronics.org/reuse.aspx) and Earth 9ll (www.earth911.org) are among them.

The site also lists a number of computer and cellphone recycling initiatives from such companies as Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Sony and Nokia, with offers of free recycling and credits toward new purchases.

A partnership between Circuit City and Dealtree also enables equipment trade-ins for gift cards toward new merchandise. Check it out at www.circuitcity.com (search "dealtree") or www.eztradein.com.

Such organizations as Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) champion gifting of old items to re-use instead of disposal. Freecycle facilitates lashups between givers and recipients in more than 4,000 cities worldwide.

EBay's Rethink Initiative (rethink.ebay.com) helps find new users for old computers and other electronics.

Companies can sell, find a sales expert to assist, receive cash from a trade-in and locate nonprofit organizations for electronics donations through this site. Its network of nonprofits includes The Collective Good Foundation, Goodwill, March of Dimes, The National Cristina Foundation, The Students Recycling Used Technology (StRUT) program, The Wireless Foundation and eBay Giving Works.

Finally, you can retain and retask old electronics, especially computers. HP Public Sector identifies several options:

• Network your existing PC with a new one to create a Local Access Network.
• Use your old computer as a digital jukebox.
• Set up the old computer as a dedicated printer server.

Having a non-Internet-connected computer for certain security-sensitive tasks is also a viable use of an old product.

By taking advantage of the many resources for security protection and recycling/re-use of old products, you can keep your attention focused on new and exciting technology initiatives.

Gene Smith is general manager of Mission Critical Systems, a Denver-based IT management firm. Reach him at gene.smith@mcstech.net or 303-383-1627.