Wipe Out Phone and Computer When Retired

[Peter Parker]

I'm hanging it up May 7th.  Before I go, I want to make sure to delete all files on my work phone and computer...Any suggestions on how to go about this?

Thanks!

[BlueMR2]

Depends on Make/Model...  Windows 10 has a reset option both with or without cleaning the disk.  Android/Apple have reset options too.  Mac is a little more challenging.

[ChickenStash]

Have you checked with your employer to see if it's kosher to wipe the devices before turning them in? Most places have a policy that any data on a work-provided device is the property of the company and there could be repercussions if they are wiped out. They usually want a copy incase they need something you worked on after you are gone.

For the phone, I've just done a factory reset before turning it in since there wasn't any data on it that didn't come from a remote server somewhere that had a backup (email, mainly).

For the computer, I just remove any personal files that may have wound up in my home drive (mapped to a remote file server for backups, anyway). Doing a full drive wipe would have raised a lot of questions.

[Cool Friend]

cast them into the ocean

[Chris22]

Have you checked with your employer to see if it's kosher to wipe the devices before turning them in? Most places have a policy that any data on a work-provided device is the property of the company and there could be repercussions if they are wiped out. They usually want a copy incase they need something you worked on after you are gone.

For the phone, I've just done a factory reset before turning it in since there wasn't any data on it that didn't come from a remote server somewhere that had a backup (email, mainly).

For the computer, I just remove any personal files that may have wound up in my home drive (mapped to a remote file server for backups, anyway). Doing a full drive wipe would have raised a lot of questions.

100% this.

I always keep a personal folder in my email and on my desktop (usually mundane stuff like emails to my wife, payroll stuff, etc) and I’ll save and then delete that stuff, and I’ll do a find on my wife’s email address and delete all my correspondence with her (again usually mundane crap), but otherwise leave it as is. I usually replace the password with something like Password123 in case they need to access it I don’t have to give them one of my passwords.

And yeah, cell phone just gets a factory reset.

[MilesTeg]

Have you checked with your employer to see if it's kosher to wipe the devices before turning them in? Most places have a policy that any data on a work-provided device is the property of the company and there could be repercussions if they are wiped out. They usually want a copy incase they need something you worked on after you are gone.

For the phone, I've just done a factory reset before turning it in since there wasn't any data on it that didn't come from a remote server somewhere that had a backup (email, mainly).

For the computer, I just remove any personal files that may have wound up in my home drive (mapped to a remote file server for backups, anyway). Doing a full drive wipe would have raised a lot of questions.

This.

Even more important if you work for a government entity of any kind, as it could literally be a crime to wipe your hardware.

[Just Joe]

If you can establish that you aren't breaking the rules, remove the hard drive and install one of similar size.

However you should do a military wipe on whatever if you buy used. I bought a used drive once and it had porn on it.

Like many have already said, you better be sure that you aren't breaking rules.

[Sibley]

Seriously, what are you using this computer for?!? You shouldn't be using it for much that isn't work related to start with.

Delete any personal files.
Save work related files to the appropriate network/other locations. Then clean them off the local hard drive (you shouldn't be storing things on the local hard drive in the first place!)
Clear your internet browser history, saved passwords, etc.
Delete saved im conversations if that's applicable.
Empty the recycle bin.
Factory reset on the work phone.
Turn both back in on your last day or whatever.

If that isn't sufficient, then you screwed up earlier in how you were using company provided equipment. Don't compound the error by messing with the computer.

[the_fixer]

If allowed by the company.

Computer
DBAN
https://dban.org

Phone
Factory reset

But honestly they probably have the data backed up to the cloud or network (including your personal files) anyways so just remove personal files from computer and a factory reset on the phone.

Unless it is a mom and pop shop wiping the devices is just making you feel good but WE can still get your data in most cases :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[facepalm]

I'm hanging it up May 7th.  Before I go, I want to make sure to delete all files on my work phone and computer...Any suggestions on how to go about this?

Thanks!

Ask your IT department.

Computer: I just surrendered a PC (in a switch). My organization's policy: Just delete your files and empty your e-mail folders. Let your IT department wipe the drives and install a fresh copy of whatever.

You do not need to wipe the drives an do a fresh install. Especially if you work in city or state government. Not sure about the feds.

Phone: Both Android and IOS have a fresh install option. Use that.

[secondcor521]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

[Just Joe]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

That's the best option.

A friend uses PortableApps to run a personal browser and email on their work laptop. Allowed by their employer. The thumb drive also holds all their personal files like pictures, bookmarks, music, podcasts, etc. Pull the drive and nothing is left behind on the host computer b/c that is the purpose of PortableApps. They are apps that don't install themselves to the host computer.

I use multiple browsers. One for work. Only work. Another for personal stuff like MMM visits. Sync option turned on for the bookmarks. Third browser with no bookmarks, no add-ons like EFF Badger or HTTPS-Everywhere for occasions when a website is being cranky about script or ad blockers. Helps keep me from ordering home coffee maker parts on my employer's Amazon account. (Done that. Oops!).   

I am very strict about keeping email accounts separate. No personal email on my work account ever.

[Chris22]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

There was never an instance where you needed to download payroll files, or 401k statements, or send a note to your wife like “I’ll be working late tonight” or “leaving early I’ll pick up the kids” or “do you need me to stop at the store for milk”? 

[FINate]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

There was never an instance where you needed to download payroll files, or 401k statements, or send a note to your wife like “I’ll be working late tonight” or “leaving early I’ll pick up the kids” or “do you need me to stop at the store for milk”?

You can still do all these things, just on different devices. Work devices only for work stuff, like payroll files and such. Personal devices only for personal use, like sending personal notes, personal calls, etc. Very simple. If companies expect people to do remote work on personal devices then they deserve the security breaches coming their way.

[GuitarStv]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

There was never an instance where you needed to download payroll files, or 401k statements, or send a note to your wife like “I’ll be working late tonight” or “leaving early I’ll pick up the kids” or “do you need me to stop at the store for milk”?

Nope.  Work devices are for work, not personal use.

I've known people who had 'personal use of company devices' given as justification for firings and worked in places where IT installed spyware to log employee browser and messaging application activities in case the company ever needed cause to let someone go.  Never assume that an employer will act in a reasonable manner.  It's a foolish bet.

If my work stuff was confiscated tomorrow, there is nothing of a personal nature on them.

[Chris22]

Well you guys are more hardline than me, good for you.

Personally, if a company wants to fire me for such transgressions as sending my wife an email that I’m running late, or forwarding a .pdf pay statement to my personal email because I have to access it on my company computer through the company portal, well I don’t want to work there anyways. I assume some back office IT guy can read everything I send on my computer, but that doesn’t mean I won’t erase personal correspondence upon leaving because then my boss or whomever will have access to it and that makes it more personal to me.

[GuitarStv]

I assume some back office IT guy can read everything I send on my computer, but that doesn’t mean I won’t erase personal correspondence upon leaving because then my boss or whomever will have access to it and that makes it more personal to me.

Your boss likely has access to all your personal correspondence right now.  You leaving the company doesn't change anything.

[Chris22]

I assume some back office IT guy can read everything I send on my computer, but that doesn’t mean I won’t erase personal correspondence upon leaving because then my boss or whomever will have access to it and that makes it more personal to me.

Your boss likely has access to all your personal correspondence right now.  You leaving the company doesn't change anything.

Having been a manager and fired people at two Fortune 50 companies, this had not been my experience. In both cases I had explicit need to access employee computers and the official response was that outside of very specific circumstances (suspected espionage) there was not a mechanism to go in and access the emails, web history, etc, to find out “why is this guy not doing his work.”  YMMV, but I’ve managed dozens of people and never had any access to anyone’s emails. 

[secondcor521]

I solved this problem by not using my work computer for personal things.  Therefore there were no personal files on my work computer.  Therefore I didn't need to delete anything.  The work files there were all company property and it was up to them to decide what to keep and what to delete.  I did save off copies of my performance evaluations for my records.  I never received a work phone beyond the wired one at my desk.  I used my personal cell phone for personal calls and my work phone for work calls.

There was never an instance where you needed to download payroll files, or 401k statements, or send a note to your wife like “I’ll be working late tonight” or “leaving early I’ll pick up the kids” or “do you need me to stop at the store for milk”?

For payroll files and 401(k) statements, I accessed those at home on my personal laptop.  The 401(k) was with Fidelity, so I think I went to 401k.fidelity.com - anyway, the employee portal for stuff like that was accessible via a public internet site.

At my last job I wasn't married, but for those latter kinds of things I would have used my personal cell phone.  At my first job I was married and I did make those kinds of phone calls on a limited basis from my POTS work phone with the explicit authorization of my employer and my immediate manager.

I would add that it wasn't to be virtuous mostly.  It was to keep myself well inside limits to keep me from doing stupid things and getting fired as happened on a third job in between the first two mentioned above.  It also was helpful in terms of separating my life so I didn't feel like I was working all the time or that I was never fully at home.  There was a brief trend where people tried to say "ah, work-life balance means doing everything everywhere all the time mix it all together" which I tried and pretty soon figured out it didn't work for me.  So a lot of it was just how I lived my life the way that worked for me.