Follow these guidelines to maximize data protection and security:
Back up important data using devices such as external hard drives or USB storage devices. Store the backed up data in a second, off-site, secure location.
Use data encryption software to keep confidential information on hard drives secure.
When disposing of an old hard drive, physically destroy the drive or completely erase all the data on the drive. Information can still be recovered from a drive after files are deleted or the drive has been reformatted. Deleting the files or reformatting the drive removes only the address tables on the drive. Use disk wiping software to completely erase all data on a drive.