Risk of identity theft for people selling used Android phones

Android users are advised to be cautious about the aftereffects of selling the devices they have already used. Robert Siciliano, identity theft researcher at McAfee has warned people that any personal data from Android devices cannot be completely removed if the user activates in-built wipe option as per the reports given by The Los Angeles Times on Friday.

Siciliano informs that the scariest thing is that even though all the protocols are followed for erasing the data, it still remains in the devices. If it is Blackberry or Apple devices Siciliano has informed that the data in them can be completely erased by following the directions given by manufacturer. When it comes to the smartphones using Android Operating system and computers which functions with Windows XP Siciliano thinks that people should not bother selling them at all.

Siciliano thinks it is better to place them in a closet or put holes for hard drive instead of selling their identity for any meager amount. Siciliano has purchased about 30 smartphones and computers from craigslist for which he was easily able to access personal data from about 15 devices among the 30 devices with his own hacking efforts along with the help of forensic expert. Data obtained from these devices also included highly confidential information like bank account information, credit card log-ins.