Mercury Insurance reminds consumers that when passing on old smartphones, tablets, laptops, or gaming consoles to others, they may not just be giving away a few forgotten photos and a few applications. As families upgrade to newer electronic devices and pass on the old ones to children, relatives, or friends, they might inadvertently share passwords, financial information, and access to sensitive personal accounts as well.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which also gives people the opportunity to address a often overlooked security risk: personal information that remains on devices that are passed on to others.
Mercury Insurance The head of information security, Dustin Howard, stated: "Most people think about protecting their own information when using devices, but they don't always consider what happens to that information after they stop using the devices. Old phones or laptops may contain personal data from years ago. Simply deleting a few files or applications does not mean that this information is gone. It is essential to reset the devices to their factory settings."
Five steps to take before reselling old electronic devices
First, back up all the content you want to keep. Before resetting your device, make sure to save important photos, contacts, documents, and other files to a secure cloud account or an external storage device. Before deleting any content, confirm that your backups are complete and accessible. Consumers should also ensure that they can access their accounts and authentication methods on another device.
Log out and disconnect from the account. Smartphones, tablets, and computers may still be connected to email accounts, cloud storage services, banking apps, shopping accounts, and subscription services. It is advisable to log out of these accounts and, where appropriate, remove the devices from the account management settings. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to disable device tracking and activation lock features so that the next user can set up the devices correctly.
Perform the correct factory reset. Deleting a single file or uninstalling an application may still leave behind information. Personal data should be cleared following the procedures recommended by the manufacturer, and the device should be restored to its original settings. Some older devices and storage systems may require additional steps to securely remove information. If a device cannot be reliably erased, recycling it through a reputable electronic recycling program that provides secure data destruction services may be a safer option.
Don't forget gaming consoles, smartwatches, and other connected devices. It's not just mobile phones and computers that store sensitive information. Game consoles may retain saved payment methods, purchase records, and account credentials, while smartwatches and other connected devices may contain health, location, or personal information. Before transferring ownership, it is necessary to delete the stored data, disconnect associated accounts, and follow the manufacturer's reset instructions.
Let the next user start with a "clean device". When passing electronic devices to children or other family members, it is advisable to create separate user accounts instead of sharing existing credentials. Before new users start using the devices, it is important to check privacy settings, enable appropriate security features, and update the operating system. For younger users, parental controls, application permissions, as well as restrictions on purchasing and location sharing should also be considered.
A small step can potentially prevent big problems.
The risks associated with the improper transfer of electronic devices are far more than just an embarrassing photo or a forgotten message. Devices that are still connected to personal accounts may allow someone to access emails, stored financial information, cloud documents, and other sensitive records.
Such access can also pose risks of identity theft, unauthorized purchases, and account intrusions, especially when older devices lack the latest security updates.
Howard says, "Reselling electronic devices is a great way to save money and make the most of technology products, especially when upgrading multiple devices in the family at once. It's important to ensure that the next user gets a clean device, not just an entry point into your digital life. Taking the time to properly prepare the electronic device for its new owner is a simple habit that can help avoid bigger problems."
Consumers should also consider the security capabilities of old electronic devices before putting them back into use. Devices that no longer receive operating system or security updates may be more vulnerable to new threats, even after being reset.
Mercury Encourages consumers to incorporate digital security into their daily household habits, especially when replacing electronic devices, preparing gifts for festivals, or donating devices to schools and charitable organizations.
For information on how to protect your family and vehicle from online threats, please visit the Mercury Insurance Resource Center.
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance ( NYSE / NYSE TX : MCY ) is a multi-line of insurance company that primarily provides personal auto, home, tenant, and business insurance through an independent agency network in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia, and also offers auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also underwrites other types of insurance in multiple states, including business insurance, business owner insurance and commercial vehicle insurance, landlord insurance, shared housing insurance, ride-hailing vehicle insurance, as well as machinery protection insurance.
Since 1962, Mercury has provided high-value insurance services to customers with competitive rates and excellent customer service, through a network of over 4,200 employees covering 11 states and more than 6,340 independent agents. Mercury has received an “A” rating from A.M, as well as the title of “Best Auto Insurance Company” awarded by Forbes and Insure.com. For more information, please visit www.MercuryInsurance.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Media professionals who wish to receive updates regarding Mercury can learn more at Mercury Newsroom.
