Technology is rapidly changing these days, and we want the most recent gadgets. Unfortunately, that means we either have a pile of older technology in our homes or we must get rid of those gadgets. Now, we have options for how we dispose of the outdated devices, but reselling technology sounds like a smart idea to get back some of what we put in. However, the risks really aren’t worth it.
Our phones and computers absorb a lot of data over their lifetimes, most of it personal. This kind of data can be devastating in the wrong hands. Unfortunately, with reselling technology, the odds of this happening increase. It’s easy to forget to wipe a device in the excitement of exchange or to leave some small amount of personal data in an obscure place. Given how infrequently we know the people we’re selling our gadgets to, this is a very real risk.
Another hazard of reselling technology is that it will find its way into the wrong hands. Hackers have been known to buy devices off the common marketplaces for reselling technology. This is done in the hope of acquiring some personal data. Even with the factory reset functions, our data is still there. With enough knowledge, someone can reconstruct everything that was on the device. That kind of personal data can then be sold for profit, and hackers having unlimited access to the machine increases the chances they will find something.
There are two types of nefarious hackers we need to be aware of when reselling technology. The first type will take our personal data and search for something that can be used for blackmail or extortion. These types contact us directly. The second type is eviler. They won’t tell us that they have our data. Instead, they’ll put it up for sale on the dark web. Like many people, we’ve typed in credit cards, social security numbers, and more, so our computers are valuable to these hackers.
While this may not be the first thing on our minds, while we control our gadgets we know what happens to them. Once we go through the process of reselling technology, we no longer control it. This becomes an issue once the device reaches the end of its lifespan. Historically, both computers and phones have ended up in landfills. Once in the landfill, they decay very slowly and leak their more toxic components into the soil. The environmental damage is long-lasting, and we need to be prepared to handle it.
Recycling offers an alternative to reselling technology. Some recyclers are so good at what they do, they can afford to pay us for our technology. Instead of placing these devices in landfills where they will do harm, a responsible recycler separates out the components in safe conditions.
As a bonus, responsible recyclers also know how to handle our data. They have devices to destroy hard drives after thorough digital wiping. Overall, it’s the most responsible thing we can do with our old technology.