Hard drive destruction 'crucial'

HARD DRIVES: GRAB AND SMASH Opening: Latches or screws should provide fairly easy access Earthing: Simply touch the metal chassis inside the computer case Safety: Unplug the computer from the mains Locating: Hard drives are typically under CD or floppy drives on desktops Removing: Gently disconnect the wires at the back of the hard driveRemove any screws that fix the hard drive to the chassis and slide it out Smashing: The more comprehensively the better

A study by computing magazine Which? has recovered 22,000 "deleted" files from eight computers purchased on eBay.

Criminals source hardware from such internet auction sites or even in rubbish from local councils in an effort to find valuable details.

Freely available software can be used to recover files that users think they have permanently deleted.

The only solution, according to Which?, is complete destruction - and it recommends using a hammer.

A number of recent cases have shown the dangers in disposing of second-hand equipment, from which details as well as other personal files can be retrieved.

"PCs contain more valuable personal information than ever as people increasingly shop online, use social networking sites and take digital photos," said Sarah Kidner, editor of Which?.

"Such information could bring identity thieves a hefty payday."

"It sounds extreme, but the only way to be 100% safe is to smash your hard drive into smithereens."