How to Safely Dispose of an Old Computer: A Helpful Guide

Computer technology has come a long way.  The laptops and computers of today are nothing like the ones sold two decades ago. Modern computers are extremely powerful. If you have an old computer that you want to get rid of, you need to be very careful. Older computers tend to be a lot easier for criminals to hack into than newer ones. They are more vulnerable because their defenses are not as robust.

This post will explore this topic in more detail, explaining how you can dispose of an old computer safely.

Wiping Your Computer

The first thing that you need to do if you are planning on disposing of an old computer is to wipe it. The reason you always need to get into the habit of wiping your PC SSD when you get rid of it is because if you do not, criminals could steal all of the information and data that’s stored on it. Assuming you have been using your computer for an extended period of time, it’s highly likely that the information that’s stored on it is sensitive and could be used against you. Wiping your device isn’t an especially challenging thing to do, as long as you have rudimentary IT knowledge. There are lots of guides available online that you can use. Find one exclusive to your device or the operating system that it uses.

If you are unsure how to wipe your computer and have had no luck finding guides to use, you can just go ahead and take it to a computer repair store. Computer repair stores are abundant in large towns and cities. If you cannot find one in your area, an internet search should yield contact information for repairmen in your area who are working privately. Before hiring an IT professional, make sure that you read reviews. An IT repairman’s reviews will tell you everything you need to know about them and help you decide if they are the right contractor for you. In addition to reviews, make sure that the contractor you hire is experienced.

Consider Selling It

Do you want to get rid of your old computer? No matter how old it is, as long as it works there is a chance that somebody will buy it from you. Selling your computer is a much better option than discarding it or destroying it because you’ll get paid for it! Some old computers are very popular right now, especially if they are considered vintage or retro. If you do plan on selling your old computer, you need to make sure that you list it for a realistic price. Do not get into the habit of overpricing the items you are selling on the internet just because you see other people doing it.

It is especially important for you to make sure that your device has been fully wiped if you are planning on selling it. Under no circumstances should you ever allow your computer to be given away to somebody without wiping it. This is because if you categorically know somebody is going to be using it after you, not wiping it means they could end up stealing your personal information, and as mentioned previously, use it for fraud or to impersonate you.

Properly Disposing of It

If you are planning on getting rid of your computer, you need to make sure that you discard it in a safe way. Check your country’s rules relative to disposing of computers.  Some places require them to be recycled while others have specific bins for them to go into. If you do not do extensive online research you could end up getting a fine if you ultimately dispose of it in a way that is deemed unsafe or unsuitable by your country or waste management authority. You should be able to find out what your country’s rules are online.

There are also services that you can use that will come and collect your computer from you. Usually, these services only do this because they want to strip computers for parts and sell what they keep or find. Such services therefore tend to avoid very old computers (or very cheap ones) because there is nothing there for them to take. If you are going to be giving your computer away to such a service, you will be pleased to know that some of them will actually pay you for your device.

Old computers can be tricky to dispose of. If you have one that you want to get rid of, consider the guidance and advice given here. This post’s guidance and advice will help you to dispose of your computer in a safe and legal way.