Cell Phone Forensics On Wiping Out Data

By Gary Cook


Mobile phones hold some of the most treasured secrets. Everyone wants to wipe out data from the handset before selling or giving it away. In the age of data recovery, you might be surprised years down the line when your secrets are displayed in public. Cell Phone Forensics experts have given their tricks on clearing data to eliminate worry about unnecessary exposure. Here are some of these tricks.

Use the factory reset option. This is the first resort for most people and devices. It is meant to clear all information and settings that have been altered since the handset began to be used. Some phones work by locking handsets from setting alteration. This might not work if you are selling or giving it since it will be useless to the receiver. However, it still provides a reasonable deal of information protection.

Factory reset is not similar to wiping out information. This method works by hiding the information in a way that normal operations of your phone cannot retrieve it. It takes advanced technology to retrieve it. If a person is intent on retrieving this information, it will still be possible leading to compromise.

Data encrypting is another option. This is an option that is limited to certain handset models which means that it is exposed to limited use. It means that anyone trying to access information from that handset will have to provide an unlocking key. Since you will be the sole holder of the key, your information will be protected.

While encryption is default for certain handset models, there are apps with encryption options inbuilt. All information transferred through these apps is usually protected. However, hacking has made it uncertain to claim safety through encryption. With widespread hacking even of highly protected platforms, encryption provides protection only to a certain extent.

Overwriting the existing data is also an option. The phone provides this option when you are about to save files. This creates more space for new files that need to be saved. It is also a way of damaging the existing data. This approach will allow you to skip the deleting element and head straight to saving data. It will still be possible for someone to retrieve information using advanced software despite overwriting.

Do you have added memory devices like SD cards and sim cards, remove them from your handset. They are pockets for storing data that is visible when you are operating your phone. If you had indicated that certain files be saved in the cards, they will be eliminated from the phone once these cards are removed. This is a safer option but you must have chosen these cards as your preferred option for saving data or files.

Technology advancement regarding information retrieval has complicated concealing. Even leaving a handset clean does not guarantee permanent hiding. The only guarantee most of these methods offer is inability to access by ordinary users. Phones provide directions on deleting information. Follow these directions to be on the safe side. However, the ultimate option when considering information security is to avoid having it on your handset if it posses any danger.




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