The disks are then crushed and sent for shredding, ensuring that any shreds of data are completely beyond recovery. However, many people may want to donate the PC.
Companies should ensure that the company they are using to refurbish their computers and IT equipment has a full and rigorous wiping procedure to ensure al l data is safely removed from their PCs prior to being refurbished and distributed to schools and community groups, said Tom Murphy, head of community and public relations, Microsoft Ireland.
For example, Rehab Recycle, one of the companies involved in the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (Mar) programme, provides secure facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway, and all donated PCs are fully wiped of all data in a secure manner.
Rehab also provides full reports on all donated PCs.
Don't try this at home
The Savannah College of Art and Design professor of foundation studies and sculpture uses rocket fuel, explosives, pyrotechnics, propellants and munitions to create earth-shattering art. These energetic materials are used to manipulate metal, wood and paper -- using destruction to create art.
Stromberg’s creations include sculpted metal panels. He’s also used a submachine gun to create pigment-infused solid rocket-fuel paint that is literally shot into stone.
"I think it stems from a long-term interest in energetic materials," Stromberg says. "Recently, with the birth of my daughter, my wife and I were thinking about what we are going to teach her. I want to encourage her to seek out things in life she finds interesting.
"I’ve always liked energetic materials," he says.
Venture partners launch Knox-based shredding company
A Knoxville advisory firm partner and a veteran of the document shredding business are launching a new venture that plans to be a leading U.S. document destruction company through mergers and acquisitions.
Mike West, managing partner of NorthShore Capital Advisors, a business advisory firm in West Knoxville, has formed 3GS LLC with Mike Boehringer, who has worked with EZshred and Shredding Solutions. Boehringer will be CEO 3GS and West will serve on the new company's board of directors. The pair say the 3GS strategy will be to acquire independent shredding companies to create the largest independent document destruction company in North America. “Targeted mergers or acquisitions are essential if a company is to outgrow the competition. Organic growth alone is not the route to sustained growth," Boehringer said in a statement.
