DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column every day. Thank you for all your help. Can you tell me what we can do with all the information that you have on your computer when you get rid of it, so nobody can get to your hard drive and invade your personal information? — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots spent considerable time discussing this answer with Mr. Sun Spots (a computer professional), who did not like her initial attempt to respond.

It turns out that the topic is much more complicated than one might think. There is software you can purchase or get for free to “wipe” your computer clean of personal information, but they are often difficult to use. It is kind of like trying to blow up a boat while you are on it.

For those who have the skills to go that route, she did find a link to a list of 44 free programs: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/free-data-destruction-software.htm

One of the options uses a feature written into Windows. The first two paragraphs explaining it make it sound easy:

“Beginning in Windows Vista, the format command was granted the ability to write zeros during the format, giving the command basic data destruction abilities.

“Since all Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista users already have the format command at their disposal, this is a quick and effective data destruction method. Granted, you won’t be able to satisfy some stringent data sanitization standards, but if that’s not a concern then this option is perfect.”

However, the next explanation gets a bit more technical:

“Note: The instructions I link to here explain how to use the format command either as a data destruction tool from a bootable disc, enabling you to completely erase the primary drive, or as a way to erase any other drive from command prompt from within Windows.”

If that has you scratching your head, you might want to consider other options.

What Mr. Sun Spots does is remove the hard drive from the computer before recycling. He makes notes about what computer it came from and the date and puts it in a drawer. 

One advantage of this technique is that it provides access to data that he or Sun Spots may have neglected to retrieve before getting rid of the computer. 

After sufficient time has passed, the drive can then be physically destroyed by beating it up with a hammer, drilling holes through it, etc. Unless you are being hunted by the CIA, it is unlikely that anyone without super skills could retrieve any data from the damaged disk.

Mr. Sun Spots pointed out that readers might not know how to remove a hard drive. He is right, of course, as usual. You might be able to get around that by recycling your computer at a place such as Staples or Best Buy and asking them to remove the drive for you. Whether they charge for that service is unknown. If you are a customer (buying a new computer from them), they might be more inclined to be helpful.

Or you can google your computer model and do it yourself. After all, you are throwing it away, so you don’t really care if you damage it in the process. One thing Mr. Sun Spots mentioned is that often the CD/DVD drive and hard drive look very similar, so be sure you have the right one.

How careful you have to be with disposal depends somewhat on how you used the machine. A computer used by a teenager for Facebook and streaming and homework is much less of a risk than one used for a home business.

Mr. Sun Spots was once asked to assess a laptop that had been dropped off at the transfer station. It was not only fully working, but it still had all the data on it, including financial information from a wealthy person (based on their taxes) on the coast. That person was very lucky that the two men who found it are honest.

Read tomorrow’s column for information on a computer scam that is going around.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].