DANGER! Huge security risk from selling your Android phone could lead to Identity Theft. BlackBerry and iOS users do not have to worry as the standard wipe procedures on them really does wipe all the data.
According to Robert Siciliano, a security researcher at McAfee, data still remains on Android devices after following the standard wipe protocols.
“What’s really scary is even if you follow protocol, the data is still there,” Siciliano said.
He bought 30 different used devices from Craigslist, and using his own expertise along with a forensics expert managed to recover data including bank details, social security numbers, and credit card logins.
He also added that BlackBerry and iOS users do not have to worry as the standard wipe procedures on them really does wipe all the data.
His advice to Android users planning to sell their phones was simple:
“Put it in the back of a closet, or put it in a vise and drill holes… [sic], or if you live in Texas take it out into a field and shoot it. You don’t want to sell your identity for 50 bucks.”
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