Make a donation
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?  (Read 3304 times)

Offline Mk5 GTian

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 62
  • -Receive: 37
  • Posts: 1374
  • Wolfsburg - Probably the Best Cars in the World
Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« on: March 09, 2013, 06:15:59 pm »

I'm selling an old laptop, but am concerned that it's future use could be associated with me. Is this something I should be concened about, and if so is there anything I should do to protect myself?

I don't know much about computers, hence my career as an interior decorator! Is the ip address (whatever that is) just connected to your email account or your computer as well?

Thanks for your help,

The Luddite.
Logged

Fun Golf: 2016 mk7 R DSG 3 door. Work Golf: 2015 mk7 1.4 TSI GT ACT 5 door.
Gone but not forgotten : mk2 Golf GTI 16v, mk4 Golf V6 4Motion, mk5 GTI Storm Developments Stage 1, mk5 GTI Revo Stage 1, BMW 330ci, Skoda Octavia VRS Revo Stage 2, BMW Z4 Sdrive35i.

Offline camfollower

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 10
  • -Receive: 31
  • Posts: 556
  • Cam follower awareness.
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2013, 06:17:17 pm »
Sell it w/o a HDD to be absolutely sure.
Logged

Offline Mk5 GTian

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 62
  • -Receive: 37
  • Posts: 1374
  • Wolfsburg - Probably the Best Cars in the World
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2013, 06:46:47 pm »
Sorry Camfollower, but what is an HDD?  :confused: :confused: :confused:
Logged

Fun Golf: 2016 mk7 R DSG 3 door. Work Golf: 2015 mk7 1.4 TSI GT ACT 5 door.
Gone but not forgotten : mk2 Golf GTI 16v, mk4 Golf V6 4Motion, mk5 GTI Storm Developments Stage 1, mk5 GTI Revo Stage 1, BMW 330ci, Skoda Octavia VRS Revo Stage 2, BMW Z4 Sdrive35i.

Offline camfollower

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 10
  • -Receive: 31
  • Posts: 556
  • Cam follower awareness.
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2013, 06:53:16 pm »
Quote from: Mk5 GTian on March 09, 2013, 06:46:47 pm
Sorry Camfollower, but what is an HDD?  :confused: :confused: :confused:

Hard Disk Drive
Probably not a viable option for you, but the best protection if your concerned.
Failing that, you could get a data shredder for the most common sensitive files... web history, passwords saved in db's, document folder etc.
Logged

Offline GrayMK5GTI

  • Global Moderator
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 125
  • -Receive: 248
  • Posts: 4165
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2013, 07:13:03 pm »
Are you worried that someone will find out the websites you have been on and brand you a pervert?  :signLOL:
Logged
NOW: 2015 Golf R DSG 5 Door, Lapiz Blue, 19s, Discover Nav, Reversing Camera
GONE:2007 Black GTI Edition 30 3dr

Offline bacillus

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 451
  • Posts: 6329
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2013, 07:23:27 pm »
I would say reformat the hdd and reinstall the original OS.
Oh, I wouldn't worry about someone getting your IP address from yopur laptop as that isn't stored on the hdd.
Logged
Without traction power is nothing!

Offline phil1975

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 9
  • Posts: 183
  • 2011 Gti
    • Email
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2013, 07:28:46 pm »
Quote from: GrayMK5GTI on March 09, 2013, 07:13:03 pm
Are you worried that someone will find out the websites you have been on and brand you a pervert?  :signLOL:


All those pictures of susanna reid you mean!! :happy2:
Logged
Candy White 5 door mk6 gti  and a escort cosworth for wasting money on!!

Offline bigeyd

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 66
  • -Receive: 31
  • Posts: 454
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2013, 08:09:16 pm »
Yeah rip the hard drive out,they are easily removed.
Logged

Offline Jussa

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 1051
  • Bicester
    • Email
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2013, 10:14:53 pm »
Quote from: Mk5 GTian on March 09, 2013, 06:46:47 pm
Sorry Camfollower, but what is an HDD?  :confused: :confused: :confused:

 :signLOL: :signLOL:
Sorry Ian but that takes the biscuit, I think even my old dear knows that  :rolleye:

Where do you live, if u were local to me I'd sort it for you  :happy2:
Logged
2010 3dr phantom black S-Tronic S3 - BCS TBE with 3½" DP - LOBA LO4xx turbo - LOBA HPFP - Revo CAI - H&R 25mm lowering springs - Forge 11mm spacers - RS4 fuel Pressure valve - THS intercooler - H&R front and rear ARB's - AEM water methanol injection

Offline bacillus

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 4
  • -Receive: 451
  • Posts: 6329
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2013, 10:27:40 pm »
Quote from: Jussa on March 09, 2013, 10:14:53 pm
Where do you live, if u were local to me I'd sort it for you  :happy2:

You just want to see all those pics of Susanna Reid stored on his hdd don't you!   :laugh:
Logged
Without traction power is nothing!

Offline Jussa

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 1051
  • Bicester
    • Email
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2013, 10:39:34 pm »
Quote from: bacillus on March 09, 2013, 10:27:40 pm
Quote from: Jussa on March 09, 2013, 10:14:53 pm
Where do you live, if u were local to me I'd sort it for you  :happy2:

You just want to see all those pics of Susanna Reid stored on his hdd don't you!   :laugh:

 :signLOL: I was hoping for Jessica Alba and Milan Kunis!!  :jumping:
Logged
2010 3dr phantom black S-Tronic S3 - BCS TBE with 3½" DP - LOBA LO4xx turbo - LOBA HPFP - Revo CAI - H&R 25mm lowering springs - Forge 11mm spacers - RS4 fuel Pressure valve - THS intercooler - H&R front and rear ARB's - AEM water methanol injection

Offline edd666999

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 24
  • -Receive: 89
  • Posts: 2730
    • Email
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2013, 12:07:27 am »
Quote from: Mk5 GTian on March 09, 2013, 06:15:59 pm

I'm selling an old laptop, but am concerned that it's future use could be associated with me. Is this something I should be concened about, and if so is there anything I should do to protect myself?

I don't know much about computers, hence my career as an interior decorator! Is the ip address (whatever that is) just connected to your email account or your computer as well?

Thanks for your help,

The Luddite.

For the average buyer of the laptop, re-installing windows on it will stop them getting at anything.

If you sold it to me, if still be able to get at some stuff because i know what im doing.

If you know an I.T based guy he could run a linux live disk and run a program that runs 1's n 0's across the drive in random patters which makes it almost impossible to recover data.

For the average user however 99% of people just re install windows.
Logged

Offline Jussa

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 23
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 1051
  • Bicester
    • Email
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2013, 08:25:07 am »
Quote from: edd666999 on March 10, 2013, 12:07:27 am
Quote from: Mk5 GTian on March 09, 2013, 06:15:59 pm

I'm selling an old laptop, but am concerned that it's future use could be associated with me. Is this something I should be concened about, and if so is there anything I should do to protect myself?

I don't know much about computers, hence my career as an interior decorator! Is the ip address (whatever that is) just connected to your email account or your computer as well?

Thanks for your help,

The Luddite.

For the average buyer of the laptop, re-installing windows on it will stop them getting at anything.

If you sold it to me, if still be able to get at some stuff because i know what im doing.

If you know an I.T based guy he could run a linux live disk and run a program that runs 1's n 0's across the drive in random patters which makes it almost impossible to recover data.

For the average user however 99% of people just re install windows.

Or u could just degauss and destroy the disk with a hammer!!!  :signLOL:
Logged
2010 3dr phantom black S-Tronic S3 - BCS TBE with 3½" DP - LOBA LO4xx turbo - LOBA HPFP - Revo CAI - H&R 25mm lowering springs - Forge 11mm spacers - RS4 fuel Pressure valve - THS intercooler - H&R front and rear ARB's - AEM water methanol injection

Offline Mk5 GTian

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 62
  • -Receive: 37
  • Posts: 1374
  • Wolfsburg - Probably the Best Cars in the World
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2013, 08:27:04 am »
Quote from: GrayMK5GTI on March 09, 2013, 07:13:03 pm
Are you worried that someone will find out the websites you have been on and brand you a pervert?  :signLOL:

I don't know WHAT you mean Graeme!!  :signLOL:
Logged

Fun Golf: 2016 mk7 R DSG 3 door. Work Golf: 2015 mk7 1.4 TSI GT ACT 5 door.
Gone but not forgotten : mk2 Golf GTI 16v, mk4 Golf V6 4Motion, mk5 GTI Storm Developments Stage 1, mk5 GTI Revo Stage 1, BMW 330ci, Skoda Octavia VRS Revo Stage 2, BMW Z4 Sdrive35i.

Offline Mk5 GTian

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 62
  • -Receive: 37
  • Posts: 1374
  • Wolfsburg - Probably the Best Cars in the World
Re: Selling an old laptop - Any identity issues?
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2013, 08:29:41 am »
Quote from: Jussa on March 09, 2013, 10:14:53 pm
Quote from: Mk5 GTian on March 09, 2013, 06:46:47 pm
Sorry Camfollower, but what is an HDD?  :confused: :confused: :confused:

 :signLOL: :signLOL:
Sorry Ian but that takes the biscuit, I think even my old dear knows that  :rolleye:

Where do you live, if u were local to me I'd sort it for you  :happy2:

Jussa, I work with paint brushes, rollers, filling knifes, scrapers, sanders, steamers, and papering tables etc etc. How would I know what a HDD is!!! Bloomin' computers, tools of the Devil!  :evilgrin:
Logged

Fun Golf: 2016 mk7 R DSG 3 door. Work Golf: 2015 mk7 1.4 TSI GT ACT 5 door.
Gone but not forgotten : mk2 Golf GTI 16v, mk4 Golf V6 4Motion, mk5 GTI Storm Developments Stage 1, mk5 GTI Revo Stage 1, BMW 330ci, Skoda Octavia VRS Revo Stage 2, BMW Z4 Sdrive35i.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »