Erase your data from old device
If you are planing on trading, selling or giving away an old gadget of yours. Then make sure all of your sensitive and personal files are securely deleted from the device. For example, just deleting a file from your computer or phone does not mean that file is gone, It is still there setting on your hard drive waiting to get written over.
you must, absolutely, without a doubt, wipe out your personal information.
Android
If you have a device running Android 4.1 or higher, go to Settings>>Personal>>Backup & Reset. Then select the Factory data reset button. That is enough to clear all personal data, but you can follow the instructions below if you want to be extra sure.
For older gadgets, you'll want to encrypt your files before you wipe the phone. Encrypting the data will make it impossible for techies to read anything they can find.
To encrypt your phone, go to Settings>>Security. If you can't find the option there, check your gadget's manual - every version of Android has it somewhere a little different.
I do not encryption while you're using your device on a regular daily basis. if you loose your encryption password, then you loose your file forever.
Apple
For Apple gadgets, go to Settings>>General>>Reset. Select "Erase All Content and Settings" and then tap the red button that pops up.
Windows Phone
For Windows Phone 8, go to Settings>>About>>Reset Phone. A pop-up menu will ask you to confirm.
Before you do this, make sure the information you need is already on your new smartphone or tablet. Once you've done this, you can't recover anything.
computers
On Windows 8, put the mouse cursor in the top right corner of the screen and select Settings and then Change PC Settings. Select-Update and recovery- and click Recovery. Under -Remove everything and reinstall Windows,- click Get Started.
If you use Windows 7 or earlier, Wiping your hard drive will make it tough for thieves to steal your information, but not impossible. For even better security, you want to wipe the drive several times.
note Keep in mind that wiping your hard drive means you'll need to re-install the operating system and programs. This can be a hassle, especially if you no longer have the original installation disks.
delete only your sensitive files. This will leave the operating system and software intact.
1- remove your computer's User Account. This is what stores nearly all of your personal files and settings. In Windows, go to Control Panel>>User Accounts. Click Manage User Accounts, select your User Account and click the Delete Account link.
If you only have one account, you'll need to create a new administrator account, sign in to the new account and then delete your old account.
For Mac, go to System Preferences>>Accounts. Click the lock icon in the lower left corner and enter the administrator username and password. Select your user account and click the Delete button. Click Delete Immediately to remove all your user files.
2- When finished with that, use a program like Eraser or Disk Wipe for Windows to wipe the free space on your hard drive or delete specific files. These programs overwrites the selected area several times to prevent anyone from recovering it.--Don't use them with a solid-state drive.
If you are planing on trading, selling or giving away an old gadget of yours. Then make sure all of your sensitive and personal files are securely deleted from the device. For example, just deleting a file from your computer or phone does not mean that file is gone, It is still there setting on your hard drive waiting to get written over.
you must, absolutely, without a doubt, wipe out your personal information.
Android
If you have a device running Android 4.1 or higher, go to Settings>>Personal>>Backup & Reset. Then select the Factory data reset button. That is enough to clear all personal data, but you can follow the instructions below if you want to be extra sure.
For older gadgets, you'll want to encrypt your files before you wipe the phone. Encrypting the data will make it impossible for techies to read anything they can find.
To encrypt your phone, go to Settings>>Security. If you can't find the option there, check your gadget's manual - every version of Android has it somewhere a little different.
I do not encryption while you're using your device on a regular daily basis. if you loose your encryption password, then you loose your file forever.
Apple
For Apple gadgets, go to Settings>>General>>Reset. Select "Erase All Content and Settings" and then tap the red button that pops up.
Windows Phone
For Windows Phone 8, go to Settings>>About>>Reset Phone. A pop-up menu will ask you to confirm.
Before you do this, make sure the information you need is already on your new smartphone or tablet. Once you've done this, you can't recover anything.
computers
On Windows 8, put the mouse cursor in the top right corner of the screen and select Settings and then Change PC Settings. Select-Update and recovery- and click Recovery. Under -Remove everything and reinstall Windows,- click Get Started.
If you use Windows 7 or earlier, Wiping your hard drive will make it tough for thieves to steal your information, but not impossible. For even better security, you want to wipe the drive several times.
note Keep in mind that wiping your hard drive means you'll need to re-install the operating system and programs. This can be a hassle, especially if you no longer have the original installation disks.
delete only your sensitive files. This will leave the operating system and software intact.
1- remove your computer's User Account. This is what stores nearly all of your personal files and settings. In Windows, go to Control Panel>>User Accounts. Click Manage User Accounts, select your User Account and click the Delete Account link.
If you only have one account, you'll need to create a new administrator account, sign in to the new account and then delete your old account.
For Mac, go to System Preferences>>Accounts. Click the lock icon in the lower left corner and enter the administrator username and password. Select your user account and click the Delete button. Click Delete Immediately to remove all your user files.
2- When finished with that, use a program like Eraser or Disk Wipe for Windows to wipe the free space on your hard drive or delete specific files. These programs overwrites the selected area several times to prevent anyone from recovering it.--Don't use them with a solid-state drive.