New Security Report about Used Routers...

A report from ESET shows that businesses selling old network equipment often fail to wipe them of private data, leaving corporate IT secrets vulnerable to hackers. Half of the 18 secondhand routers purchased by ESET researchers had not been scrubbed of information about the network, credentials, and even physical building security. This is a repeated issue, making individuals vulnerable to malicious actors if they don’t wipe their own devices before selling or recycling them. Personal devices, such as PCs and smartphones, can hold sensitive data, so it's important to nuke the data on them properly before selling or recycling them. Encryption can provide added protection when it comes to resetting your computer, and there are options for wiping the PC, including using Windows’ reset option, or using software like Eraser.

Individuals can take steps to protect their data by encrypting their devices and ensuring that they wipe them properly before selling or recycling them. Companies do not always follow proper procedures, which puts sensitive information at risk. It is important for individuals to be smarter than companies and protect themselves by doing things the right way.