When getting rid of your old PC, be sure to smash the 'hard disk' with a hammer

If you are planning of getting rid of your old personal computer, make sure you remove the hard drive first and smash it up with a hammer.

To make sure fraudsters could not steal personal details from an old computer's hard drive was to simply destroy it, as wiping the drive was not sufficient.

A source who bought eight second hand drives recovered 22,000 "deleted" files, including some information that could be confidential.

Criminals, who it said trawled internet sites like eBay, would be able to use specialist software to retrieve the information which could then be use to commit indetity theft.

PCs that contain more valuble personal information that ever as people increasily shop online, use social networking sites and take digital photos.

To be 100% safe, smah your hard drive into smithreens.