How to Delete Data Securely

EBONY S. MUHAMMAD

Data = Risk x Loss. This equation was seen during a recent Cyber security conference keynote speaker, Shaun Tuma, who works as a Cyber Security attorney. He stated that one should delete data that is no longer being used, because data equals risk. The risk can is loss in the form of it being stolen through hacking and loss of money if ever attacked by ransomware.

What data should one consider risk?

Old Emails: If you’re like the average email user, you probably have hundreds or thousands of emails cluttering your Inbox, some of which are still unopened. Take some time, an hour each day to prune away at the clutter that might leave you at risk for loss.

An easy way of doing this is to begin with the email lists you're subscribed to; emails you no longer read or need. Type the name of the newspaper, blog, store, etc. into the mail search box. When it populates, check all and delete. Gmail has a bulk delete option that appears once you have selected all the emails. All of those emails from that one subscription are deleted in one to two clicks. Repeat this process for other subscriptions or emails from the same destination. This will cut days off of the deletion process. I was able to delete nearly 60,000 emails in less than an hour using this method.

Old Files/Documents: If you keep old files, photos and documents saved on your computer or mobile device, most definitely take measures to transfer them to a portable drive. And if these aren’t save-worthy delete them all together.

Applications (Apps) + Plugins: If you have apps and plugins you haven’t used or opened in the past 30-60 days, it’s time to remove them. Like most applications, access to other areas of your device is possible. Why leave a back door open for hackers?

Old Email Addresses: This differs from emails. Remember that first Hotmail account or that AOL account you opened? Or when you had to open a second Gmail account because you forgot the password to the first one? Hording those old email accounts is definitely high risk. If it was an earlier email account, consider the password probably wasn’t the strongest, which also means a hacker could’ve broken in and inserted malware which can now monitor every keystroke...see where I’m going with this? Although most internet based email companies such as Gmail and Yahoo deactivate inactive email accounts after 6 to 9 months of inactivity, take a moment to access your account and terminate it yourself.

So how does one delete data securely and forever? According to Chron.com and Lifewire.com deleting data securely can be done with a few simple steps.

Old Emails: With web-based emails such as Gmail and Hotmail, place a check mark next to the email (s) you wish to delete and click the delete button. Next go to your trash file and empty it by checking all files and clicking delete forever.

It is reported that these platforms have their own servers in which files remain on for approximately 60 days until being overwritten by other incoming data.

Old Email Accounts: Once inside your old email account,  I would suggest deleting all emails using the first method and then head over to settings to delete the account. If you don't see the option to terminate your email account in settings, go to the homepage of the email company and click on the terms link (usually in the footer). Within the terms is a link to terminate your account. It will ask you to log in, so if you cannot remember the password, click "forgot password" to have the "new password link" emailed to you. After logging in, delete all emails, folders, and files. From there, terminate your account. If you need some of those files, forward them to the email address you used daily.

Applications and plug-ins can be deleted by going into your settings and selecting each one at a time and uninstalling the app/plugin.

Files and documents: Right click the file and select delete. Next, head over to your recycle bend and select to delete permanently. The space on your hard drive or computer documents page is now available for other documents.