Lenovo S540 manual Using firewalls, Protecting data against viruses

Notice on deleting data from your hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive

Some of the data stored on the hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive might be sensitive. Handing your computer over to someone else without deleting the loaded software, such as operating systems and application software, might even violate license agreements. Be sure to delete data stored on the hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive before you dispose of, sell, or hand over your computer.

You can use the following methods to delete data from the hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive:

•Move the data to the Recycle Bin, and then empty the Recycle Bin.

•Delete the data.

•Format your hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive, using the software for initializing it.

•Use the recovery program provided by Lenovo to bring the hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or hybrid drive back to the factory default settings.

These operations, however, only change the file location of the data; they do not delete the data itself. In other words, the data retrieval processing is disabled under an operating system such as Windows. The data is still there, even though it seems to be lost. Thus, it is sometimes possible to read the data by use of special software for data recovery. There is a risk that people of bad faith might read and misuse the critical data on hard disk drives or solid-state drives for unexpected purposes.

To prevent leakage of data, it is important that you delete all the data from the hard disk drive or hybrid drive when you dispose of, sell, or hand over your computer. You can destroy the data physically by smashing the hard disk drive or hybrid drive with a hammer, or magnetically by means of strong magnetic power, thus making the data unreadable. But it is recommended that you use the software (payware) or service (pay service) developed for that purpose. The process might take several hours.

For disposing of data on the solid-state drive, Lenovo provides the Drive Erase Utility for Resetting the Cryptographic Key and Erasing the Solid State Drive tool. For disposing of data on the hard disk drive, Lenovo provides the Secure Data Disposal™ tool. Go to http://www.lenovo.com/support to download these tools.

If an Encryption solid-state drive, a Disk Encryption hard disk drive, or a Disk Encryption hybrid drive is supported and installed in your computer, you can logically dispose of all the data on the drive in a short time by erasing the cryptographic key. The data encrypted with the old key is not physically erased but remains on the drive; however, it cannot be decrypted without the old key. This feature is also available with the Drive Erase Utility for Resetting the Cryptographic Key and Erasing the Solid State Drive tool.

Using firewalls

If your system is preinstalled with a firewall program, it protects against computer Internet security threats, unauthorized accesses, intrusions, and Internet attacks. It also protects your privacy.

For more information about how to use the firewall program, refer to the help information system that comes with the program.

Protecting data against viruses

Your computer is preinstalled with an antivirus program so you can detect and eliminate viruses. The antivirus program is designed to help you detect and eliminate viruses.

Lenovo provides a full version of antivirus software on your computer with a free 30-day subscription. After 30 days, you must renew the license to continue receiving the antivirus software updates.

56User Guide