In our whirlwind era of rapid tech turnover, it is important not to let your old gadgets spill all your secrets. And, no, factory resetting isn’t just for your big-ticket tech like phones or laptops—your overlooked tech tools also need a clean slate to help safeguard your digital life.
1 Tablets
First up, tablets. Like most mobile devices like cell phones, tablets serve as portable data stores. They house everything from photos to documents and other personal information. And, since they’re so easy to use for both creative and workplace means, they often contain personal files, emails, and sensitive data related to your identity. If someone else accesses that data, it could be bad for you, so always make sure to factory reset your tablets.
2 eReaders
Next are eReaders. While perfect for reading enthusiasts who want an entire library on a compact device, they also carry a surprising amount of data, like purchase history, card information, and reading preferences. If you’ve ever used your eReader to buy a book online, your payment details are ripe pickings for the wrong hands. It is important to de-register and factory reset any eReader to protect your privacy.
3 Smartphones
Smartphones are, undeniably, among the most personal and data-rich devices we use daily. Aside from payment details, they are absolute treasure troves of sensitive information, from contacts to messages, emails, and location history.
Imagine someone getting hold of your old phone and being able to log into your email and, from there, your bank, just because you forgot to factory reset the device. In other words, always make sure to back up all your data, sign out of all accounts, and complete a comprehensive factory reset to erase all personal traces.
4 Laptops and Computers
Just like smartphones, computers store enormous amounts of data beyond the basic – think financial documents, tax returns, and private correspondence. A simple delete isn’t going to do here; anyone who really wants to get at your data can get to it, even recovering “deleted” data if they try hard enough. That means performing a factory reset, along with erasing the hard drive, is your best bet to protect your data.
5 Gaming Consoles
Gaming consoles are some of the most overlooked personal devices that will have your information on them. That info is linked to online gaming profiles, including your credit card information, game progress, and personal messages. It might not seem like scammers can do much with that information, but you would be surprised. Make sure you factory reset your console, remove all consoles, and even delete apps before passing them on to someone else.
6 Smart Home Devices
While most people aren’t really thinking about selling their smart home devices, they might gift them to others if they are upgrading or throwing old devices away. These devices, including cameras, hubs, and speakers, collect and store intimate data about your daily routines, voice commands, and more.
What does this mean? Well, hackers can do a lot with that information. Clear all settings and unlink all accounts to prevent unauthorized access to your privacy.
7 Wearables
Another device most people don’t think too much about clearing off are wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. Like smart home devices, these collect a wealth of personal data— health metrics, messages, and even GPS location history. This lets the next person get a detailed view of your lifestyle, including details you probably don’t want to get out. Always reset and revoke device access to personal data before these devices leave your possession.
Factory resetting your devices before selling is a smart, essential step in safeguarding your personal data and maintaining privacy. Double-check all devices, including those often overlooked, to make sure that no sensitive information is inadvertently shared.
