Destroying hard drives is "uncontrolled" way to delete information

Businesses should not destroy hard drives as it is an "uncontrolled method" of trying to get rid of information and data, it has been suggested.

This advice might be useful to companies who hold information about their customers, such as contact details used for email marketing campaigns.

There is a risk of hard drives going to the wrong locations or someone not following the proper procedures to delete information, explained Ontrack Data Recovery.

Normally, a software erasing device would be used and then the drives would be sent to a recycling company, stated chief engineer Robert Winter.

His recommended approach is to get a professional company to clear the data.

"A third party will look after the security and you won't be left holding any confidential information," he said.

Mr Winter also added that Ontrack Data Recovery had bought a number of hard drives to see what security measures people took before disposing of them and normally it was none at all.

According to Which? Computing magazine, some criminals go through council bins and internet auction sites for hard drives to recover deleted data which can then be used to make a fraudulent credit card application.