IT Security..disposal of hard-disk..

Ready to recycle that Old PC? Read this first.

Throwing out an old computer is complicated. First, there are heavy metals used in most PCs, and you don't want that ending up in the local landfill. Second, there's the data on the hard drive. If you're not careful, it could end up in the hands of data thieves. Whether you're donating that used PC to a local school or selling it on an online auction site, you'll want to remove your personal files first. Here's a quick lesson in how data is stored and what you can do to keep others from reading your e-mail and seeing your financial data from five years ago.