From Leo's mailbag:
> From: A Computer User
> Sent: February 10, 2006
> To: Ask Leo!
> Subject: Could someone have taken information off of a hard drive I donated?
>
> Leo,
> i donated a computer 4 years ago without taking precautions
> to clear the hard drive. is it possible that someone would
> be able to access all of the screen names, passwords, etc.
> that had ever been logged on to that computer? I suspect
> that someone has hijacked some information and is using old
> screen names and creating new ones to harass me and my
> family. some of. i have changed all of my passwords, bank
> access passwords, etc. but that doesn't keep them from using
> old aol names, some 10 years old now. I also think they have
> taken our buddy lists and are contacting people on them.
It's possible. I don't know how likely, but it has happened.
This article discusses the steps that should be taken before
donating a hard drive:
http://ask-leo.com/how_should_i_erase_my_hard_drive_before_i_give_it_away.html
After the fact ... well, there's not much you can do.
Thanks for asking,
Leo
Article 9793
| Category:
Hardware
