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Two-Thirds of Second-Hand Memory Cards Contain Data From Previous Owners (bleepingcomputer.com)
Catalin Cimpanu, writing for BleepingComputer: A recent study conducted by academics from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK has revealed that almost two-thirds of second-hand memory cards still contain remnants of personal data from previous owners. For their study, researchers analyzed 100 second-hand SD and micro SD memory cards purchased from eBay, conventional auctions, second-hand shops, and other sources over a four-month period. All in all, researchers say the memory cards they recovered were previously used in smartphones and tablets, but some cards were also used cameras, SatNav systems, and even drones. The research team says the analysis process consisted of creating a bit-by-bit image of the card and then using freely available software to see if they could recover any data from the card. Their efforts were successful and worrisome at the same time, as the team says it managed to recover data from the memory cards, including intimate photos, selfies, passport copies, contact lists, navigation files, pornography, resumes, browsing history, identification numbers, and other personal documents.
Excellent analysis. This is definitely the type of research that Universities should be pursuing. They should do separate analysis of solid state drives and magnetic drives as well to see if they suffer from the same issue. Perhaps they could be paid for by hard drive makers to convince people they should destroy their old ones and only buy new ones. Or perhaps they could legislate that the second hand market should be illegal because of the data theft problems. Oh, let me guess: you thought the companies were commissioning these "studies" to be helpful, right? It is amazing how many people get taken in by this fake "research".