Everyone has information on the phone that he or she would prefer it remains a secret. Such information ranges from photos to messages, emails, links or data that is confidential. When you come to the end of using such a handset and want to give it away or sell it, erasing is the best option. Cell phone forensics specialists have provided tips on safeguarding the data from compromise. Here are some of them.
The factory reset option will provide protection. This is usually the first option for most people. It deletes information that has been entered leaving your handset as clean as new. Using this option might lock out some functions for certain phones making it impossible to use by the new buyer. Depending on the extent of factory protection, you can conceal your information through reset.
Resetting factory settings does not wipe out data. It only locks it in a place that is irretrievable through your handset. With advancement in technology, such information may be retrieved with ease. If someone employs off-the-shelf techniques and technology, your secret information will be retrieved leading to compromise. You therefore need more advanced ways of concealing the information and erasing it completely from the system.
Modern technology has enabled data encryption to protect your information. Certain phones offer this option as a default setting while you have to activate the function on other phones. Encrypted messages demand a retrieval code to access the information. Without this code or a secret PIN, your information will be safe. You have to ensure that you do not share this key or code with third parties.
While encryption is default for certain handset models, there are apps with encryption options inbuilt. All information transferred through these apps is usually protected. However, hacking has made it uncertain to claim safety through encryption. With widespread hacking even of highly protected platforms, encryption provides protection only to a certain extent.
Overwriting the existing data is also an option. The phone provides this option when you are about to save files. This creates more space for new files that need to be saved. It is also a way of damaging the existing data. This approach will allow you to skip the deleting element and head straight to saving data. It will still be possible for someone to retrieve information using advanced software despite overwriting.
Remove any external memory devices attached on the handset. These devices include SD cards and memory cards. They add to the memory of your device and will therefore carry information you might consider confidential. By removing them from your handset, all information that they carried cannot be accessed until the cards are put in other devices. The external memory devices will only work if you had chosen them as your storage option.
Data recovery technology has made it almost impossible to permanently delete information from phones. However, since recovery relies on advanced technology, it is still possible to conceal files and data from unauthorized persons. Follow the directions of your handset to guarantee security. If you would not want any information to fall into the public eye, do not generate it in the first place.
The factory reset option will provide protection. This is usually the first option for most people. It deletes information that has been entered leaving your handset as clean as new. Using this option might lock out some functions for certain phones making it impossible to use by the new buyer. Depending on the extent of factory protection, you can conceal your information through reset.
Resetting factory settings does not wipe out data. It only locks it in a place that is irretrievable through your handset. With advancement in technology, such information may be retrieved with ease. If someone employs off-the-shelf techniques and technology, your secret information will be retrieved leading to compromise. You therefore need more advanced ways of concealing the information and erasing it completely from the system.
Modern technology has enabled data encryption to protect your information. Certain phones offer this option as a default setting while you have to activate the function on other phones. Encrypted messages demand a retrieval code to access the information. Without this code or a secret PIN, your information will be safe. You have to ensure that you do not share this key or code with third parties.
While encryption is default for certain handset models, there are apps with encryption options inbuilt. All information transferred through these apps is usually protected. However, hacking has made it uncertain to claim safety through encryption. With widespread hacking even of highly protected platforms, encryption provides protection only to a certain extent.
Overwriting the existing data is also an option. The phone provides this option when you are about to save files. This creates more space for new files that need to be saved. It is also a way of damaging the existing data. This approach will allow you to skip the deleting element and head straight to saving data. It will still be possible for someone to retrieve information using advanced software despite overwriting.
Remove any external memory devices attached on the handset. These devices include SD cards and memory cards. They add to the memory of your device and will therefore carry information you might consider confidential. By removing them from your handset, all information that they carried cannot be accessed until the cards are put in other devices. The external memory devices will only work if you had chosen them as your storage option.
Data recovery technology has made it almost impossible to permanently delete information from phones. However, since recovery relies on advanced technology, it is still possible to conceal files and data from unauthorized persons. Follow the directions of your handset to guarantee security. If you would not want any information to fall into the public eye, do not generate it in the first place.
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