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Cell Phone Secrets Die Hard
duplo1 writes "According to an article on CNN, "Selling your old phone once you upgrade to a fancier model can be like handing over your diaries. All sorts of sensitive information pile[s] up inside our cell phones, and deleting it may be more difficult than you think." It seems that corporate security policies need to extend their disposal standards to mobile devices; but what is there to educate consumers regarding such a potential breach of privacy?"
All they'll get from me is the number for the local Domino's Pizza... well - maybe some 900 numbers...
Just stick in in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
-- Pablo Picasso
In my company, we dispose of cellular telephones and other information technology equipment in the proper manner. First, we place that of which we are disposing on a steel platform. Then, a gentleman wielding an enormous iron sledgehammer approaches the aforementioned device, after which he proceeds to smash the fscking thing to bits. Finally, the aforementioned device is placed into the appropriate refuse recepticle. Thus, we are assured that the privacy of our employees is protected from unwanted breaches.
I bought a "smart" phone off eBay, it was a good deal, works great. Turns out the old user was a doctor. I know this because, even though he had figured out how to erase his messages and crap, the thing was set up on his hospital's corporate wifi email system, with portable Outlook. The first time I got online (do you know how cool it is that all the pubs in my neighborhood have free wifi now? it's very cool.) It reached out and REFILLED the inbox with hundreds of VERY personal emails (his and his patients), including attachments.
I have no idea what any of the xrays were trying to show me, but he seemed pretty concerned about some spots in a couple of them. I thought it was cool I could zoom in on them with my phone. Man I hope copies are being kept on the server...
It really makes you wonder where the knowledge gap occurs. Many people know that when you delete files from a computer that they are not really deleted and they could be restored. How could they miss the connection? If you've seen one microchip, you've seen them all. Be afraid, be very afraid...
But anyway, who in their right mind would put sensitive information on a medium that its user can lose control over? (Lets overlook the computers that the government has been misplacing with everyones social security numbers for a split second) You (generally) wouldnt let someone use your computer if it has information that you do not want them to see, why should a cellular telephone be any different.
Next thing you know someone will be surprised at the ability to intercept bluetooth. Someone will be transmitting sensitive information via bluetooth and some buck tooth 14 year old will be around the corner to intercept it...
In closing, since people did not know that their data does not necessarially go away, did you know that if you do not secure a wireless router, people can potentially intercept information?
Its a pity you cannot legislate stupidity...
It resets the RAM and loads all the default settings for built-in applications from ROM. It typically doesn't touch the FlashRAM.
But that's just the typical reset. Factory Reset isn't a feature that is normally exposed without additional external attachments (a cable, a PC, and special software).
Even if you take preventive measures to erase sensitive data from devices, you still have mega-corporations who accidentally release sensitive data like a good smelly fart.
Even when they don't release it publically, they lack both the competence or will to keep it to themselves. I remember, ten years ago, an acquaintance who taunted a friend with private medical information. She had been a clerk for a debt collection agency and used her access to look up all of her friends. The big dumb companies share things they should not and don't keep tabs on it. Imagine what clerks at ChoicePoint could do, then think of how owned their little windoze terminals are. There's not much real privacy left anymore.
Cell phones are not free platforms and the owners are some of the most notorious abusers of personal privacy. Almost all of the Baby Bells were too happy to comply when the Bush administration asked them to break the law and tap their customers. Just to get a Cigular phone six years ago, I had to give the creeps monthly access to my credit record! You have to remember that the parent company at one time refused to allow people to plug modems into their network. The babies continue to stonewall broadband to this day. They will do anything and everything to get some crummy little franchises over their users. Your "secrets" are the last of their concerns, except where it can be used for their own marketing purposes.
My answer kind of sucks, but it works. My cell phone is nothing more. I put names into it because the phone company already knows who I'm talking to. Nothing else goes in. I don't SMS, I will never use their calenders. I resent GPS tracking. I'll never trust their cameras and I'll keep it in a box if I'm ever talking about something sensitive. The damn thing is like a bug in my pocket that can be abused by anyone with the technical wherewithal to pull the wool over the Baby Bells. These days, that's about anyone.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.