Updated On: 25 December, 2017 11:14 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
<p>Before disposing off old gadgets like hard disk drives or mobile phones, you need to ensure that data is securely wiped -- not just formatted -- by a recognised software data erasure to avoid passing sensitive data to strangers</p>

Before disposing off old gadgets like hard disk drives or mobile phones, you need to ensure that data is securely wiped -- not just formatted -- by a recognised software data erasure to avoid passing sensitive data to strangers, hackers and cyber criminals, warns a study. The findings, applicable to both individuals and corporates, showed that nearly all hard disk drives available on second-hand marketplace sites contain a huge amount of confidential data.
