FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacey Kumagai, Media Relations Phone: 818/506-8675; Email: mediamonster@yahoo.com YOUR PRIVACY EXPOSED! Computer Forensics International uncovers secrets about recycled hard drives
Los Angeles, CA --- Privacy is essential in both personal and professional business. But recently, privately held computer evidence recovery firm, Computer Forensics International (CFI) President, Mark McLaughlin & staff discovered a nationwide pattern of privacy violations found on recycled hard drives randomly purchased from major metropolitan thrift stores and on Internet.
Undeleted files were found containing personal previous owner/activities information including legal transcripts, credit card and social security numbers, address books, emails and financial information/investment records for a “who’s who” list of major executives, politicians and celebrities!
“Using EnCase, widely accepted forensic analysis software, our examiners found drives showed no evidence previous owners deleted sensitive data, making it easily retrievable,” says McLaughlin. Fortunately, these drives landed in CFI’s hands, instead of individuals with unlawful intent. To close privacy loop, each hard drive was permanently destroyed.
“So much focus has been placed on Internet security, that properly recycling computers containing personal information has been overlooked. With increased personal identity theft, permanently deleting data should be a priority. When recycling used computers, management must insure hard drives are wiped clean. Merely reformatting a hard drive, does not permanently delete information,” explains McLaughlin.