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Cyber crooks recovering data from old computers

ID theft exposure can still take place for people who dispose of their old computers, even if care is taken to delete files from hard drives, Which? Computing has warned.

Council tips and internet auction sites are reportedly being raided by cyber crooks, who can recover deleted data with the help of specialist software, the organisation says.

Which? Computing's editor Sarah Kidner states that nowadays PCs "contain more valuable personal information than ever" due to the fact that people use them for online shopping, networking and storing photographs.

"Even if you delete your files, you'd be surprised how easy it is to recover your personal data. Such information could bring identity thieves a hefty payday," she said.

"It sounds extreme, but the only way to be 100 per cent safe is to smash your hard drive into smithereens."

The news comes amid revelation from the UK payments association Apacs that fraudsters are using British consumers' cards in countries that do not have chip and PIN technology.

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