Don’t Dump the Drive: A Local’s Guide to Data Destruction in San Diego
You’ve probably seen them—the small, faded blue recycling bins overflowing with old computer towers and tangled cords in the back alleys of Hillcrest or the industrial parks of Miramar. Or maybe you have your own "technology graveyard" sitting in a closet in Chula Vista, full of old laptops you’re too afraid to throw away because they "might still have stuff on them." You’re right to be paranoid. In 2026, a "deleted" file is about as permanent as a sandcastle at Ocean Beach. If you aren't physically destroying your data, you are essentially leaving your social security number and private photos on the curb for anyone with a $20 recovery tool to find. The Problem: Deleting vs. Destroying I talk to folks all the time who think a "Factory Reset" is a magic wand. It’s not. Think of your hard drive like a giant library. Deleting a file is like ripping the index card out of the filing cabinet. The book (your data) is still sitting on the shelf; you...