Steps to Take Before Ditching Your Printer

The majority of us are aware of the dangers associated with throwing away our devices like tablets, phones, and computers without wiping them clean of any personal data, images, and documents, but not so often with printers.

Based on the kind of printer you own, depending on the printer model, you could need to take steps to ensure that your personal data isn't being saved inside the internal memory of your device.



What's at Risk?

It might not be evident, but your fax machine or printer could be keeping the most private data you've ever printed, scanned, faxed, or copied. All kinds of tax-related documents, medical, and insurance papers have likely been sent through your printer during its lifetime.

Advanced network printers that allow you to e-mail documents directly could also be storing sensitive e-mail server settings and passwords will be required to eliminate.

Consumer Printers

The majority of printers used by consumers contain very little memory and is generally referred to as "volatile memory," meaning that once the power is shut off, the data it was storing goes away.

If your printer doesn't have copier or fax capabilities, the printer is probably not going to contain any kind of permanent memory storage that must be reset. However, to be certain, make sure to check the "Settings" menu on your printer to see if there are any options that permit users to reset the device back to its factory default settings.

If you've ever received an e-mail during the reset process warning you that all your information will be deleted, you'll realize that the data was stored as private information.

If your device comes with memory card slots that can be used for things such as cameras, make sure to verify whether you've left any of your old cards inside.

Networked Multifunction Printers

While the majority of people do not use printers that have internal storage, almost every copier, printer, or fax that's commercial grade is likely to store lots of sensitive data in a permanent storage device.

If your printer at work is able to receive faxes and forward them by e-mail to the correct recipient, the printer first needs to save the incoming faxes into some internal memory.

If your device stores addresses for sending documents scanned, you should presume that it will be able to store more than addresses.

Private printing refers to the capability of printing equipment to keep the print job until you physically stand in the printer's vicinity and enter a code; it is definitely a reference to internal storage devices.

The capability to re-order printing jobs that are already in the queue is an additional sign of internal memory capacities.

Protection Suggestions

Today's printers contain large internal storage devices and are also equipped with safe wipe options on their setting.

If you are unable to find how to reset your printer's settings, a quick Internet search that contains the exact model and make with reset in the middle of it should give you the steps.