How can I prevent other people from obtaining my laptop's data?
Long story short, my laptop is short-circuited so I ended up buying a new one. I asked the technician guy to transfer the data from my old (unfixed) laptop to the new one. I heard that he simply copy the files to the new one. Here’s the problem: I already promised to give my broken laptop to my relative so he can have it fixed and use it for himself. I fear that my existing data in my old laptop would be seen by my relative. I have some sensitive pictures there, mind you. How do I erase/corrupt the data in my old broken laptop so a thrid party won’t utilize it?
Another question, can the person who copy/move the data from my old laptop to my new laptop see the data/pics he’s transferring?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
5 Answers
Have the data transferred then remove the HDD before giving it to your relative (after all the PC is not functioning).
Alternatively ask the tech that is transferring the data to wipe the drive when he’s finished.
I’d ask the tech to wipe it after transferring. And yes, they will be able to see the data, so if you’re worried about that, I’d explicitly ask them to be discrete.
@Lightlyseared and @Vincentt Unfortunately I have already done with the buying and data transferring business so they’re not liable to help me to wipe out the data anymore unless it’s related to warranty issue. If I give him the laptop without HDD that will sound insincere and suspicious. Regardless, he said he’ll try to have it fixed, if that can’t be done he’ll just sell it for personal profit.
Now this sounds silly but I’ve been thinking about soaking the HDD in water, dry it up, then put it back where it belongs.
Get an external enclosure for the hard drive, so you can wipe it easily. They’re handy to have and the main thing to make sure of is that one you pick out can plug in the drive (there are different types) and plug it into your new computer (usually USB).
Then use something like Eraser to wipe it completely.
It’s not suspicious to wipe your data, and is really easier than trying to dunk it in water.
Regarding the transfer, you can usually see file names fly by if you’re watching, but most people kick it off and then go do something else.
@Unofficial_Member It seems a shame to break a perfectly fine hard drive. If you’re really afraid about them becoming “suspicious” (I wouldn’t), you can also just say you’d like to keep the hard drive with an external enclosure as suggested by @funkdaddy, and then keep using it as an external drive (for backups, for example). But you should be able to wipe it and give it away as well. In fact, you might even be able to temporarily insert it in your new laptop to wipe it, but I can imagine that being above your head. Wiping it using an external enclosure is then probably the best idea, and that enclosure might very well come in handy in the future.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
