Have You Wiped Your Handheld?

It appears that we should not believe the Telcos in their promises to handle sensitive data. That includes the handsets you might trade in for a credit –

New research finds 44 per cent of second-hand devices still contain sensitive
data

Over a third of BlackBerry devices are sold without being wiped of sensitive personal and corporate data, according to new research released today by BT.

The study of over 160 second-hand handheld devices found they still contained details of bank accounts, board meetings and financial data.

Nearly a quarter of phones contained information which could allow the previous owner and employer to be identified, while 43 per cent of BlackBerrys contained information which could pose a significant risk to organisations if exposed.

Nearly half had sensitive data still on them! So if you are going to be trading in a old phone for new. Once the data is transferred, if the rep is going to wipe the unit then ask for it back for a moment after it is done to confirm it. Five minutes now might save you weeks later in avoiding an identity theft incident.

Linky.