Are you going to take your cell phone or PC to be repaired? These tricks will protect your privacy

Logically, not all arrangements are the same. You may not have access to the device, so some of these tips are going to be more complicated. On other occasions, however, you will be able to access and make changes. The goal is for your security and privacy to always be protected and not have problems.

Repair your devices safely

It is important that you take it to a store that is guaranteed. If it can be an official technical service, the better. Not only in order to achieve an optimal arrangement, but also to reduce the risk that they can extract data or information that you may have. The more reliable that site is, the better to avoid problems.

Delete sensitive data

The first thing you should do, whenever possible, is remove any confidential data or file that you can have. This is important whenever you are going to hand over your phone or computer, since it will prevent that content from ending up in the wrong hands, either by mistake or because someone wants to steal it.

Therefore, check folders that you may have, documents where you store important data, photographs, videos that you want to delete… Basically, anything that you don't want to be stolen and end up in the wrong hands.

Unlink your accounts

You should do something similar with your accounts. For example, social networks like Facebook, you should unpair them from the device. The same with email or any account that you can access simply by opening an application or entering the browser and entering the URL, with your username saved.

If you do not want doubts, if you want to avoid any problem of this type, it is best that you have your accounts well protected and they cannot be accessed easily. For example, even if the person who is going to fix your phone wants to avoid it, notifications and messages could skip when having those accounts open.

Encrypt files

To avoid the above that we have explained, encrypting the files may be a good idea. If you don't want to delete folders from your computer, for example, you can always encrypt them with a password. This way, if they try to open that folder to see the contents it has, you will be more protected.

To do this, you can use applications that allow file encryption, such as BitLocker or VeraCrypt. It is important that you use guarantee tools that really protect these files well and thus avoid problems.

If you can, restore it to factory

Best of all, whenever you can do it, is restore device to factory values. In this way, all the content you have stored will be deleted. This includes your settings, any accounts you are logged into, and any information or data you may have accumulated.

You can do this as long as you have access to the device. If you see that you cannot start it, for example, it will be difficult for you to do it. However, when you can factory reset it, it is something we recommend to always maintain your privacy.

Keep the serial number in mind

This tip, by itself, is not going to improve your privacy. However, it is useful to avoid problems. Do you suspect that they may have given you a mobile phone that is not the one you have given? What you can do is always write down the device serial number or devices that you are going to hand over to be fixed.

Each cell phone or computer, for example, will have a code that identifies it. It is unique, so they have to give you the same device, with the same serial number. A way to avoid problems in repair shops.

In short, these are some tips that you can put into practice if you are going to have your cell phone or computer fixed. The goal is that you can maintain your privacy and security at all times.