PC World Editor Steals Your Stuff

I accidentally stole your data. Unannounced mergers. Acquisitions. Hirings. Firings. Resignations. A wedding proposal. I know it all. Sorry about that.

Consider this a quick cautionary tale.

On a recent assignment, while covering some trade show, I needed to find a computer in a hurry. The only viable option was the nearest hotel's business center. One hour and a couple articles later, the work gets emailed off.

I then did what one should always do: open up the My Documents folder of the computer where I saved my stories, hit Control-A (select all), Control-C (copy), and Control-Ved(pasted) my files on a flash drive.

Once backed up, it's time to delete every file and empty the recycle bin. It's more an automated process at this point--an involuntary action that that my arms perform. And any time you create documents on a public PC, it should be that way for you as well. Otherwise, some jerk like me might wind up with your personal information.

Archiving things a few days later, I noticed a few odd files that shouldn't have even been there. Maybe malware? A quick virus scan clears up the matter, but curiosity gets the better of me. The first word document: The managing director of a major financial institution just tendered her 90-day resignation notice. That's odd.

In case you thought that we were just making this up...

The next file I found, a detailed set of papers proposing a company merger. It's even notated with changes required to the paperwork. Man, the law firm in the letterhead must be peeved. And so it went on for the next five mystery files. The day's agenda for a press tour. The names and numbers of contacts and drivers for a film shoot. A detailed shopping list for a romantic weekend--including ring size and preferences. The list goes on and on.

Don't worry, I deleted every last file. Consider it confidential data karma. But you might not be so lucky next time. Be a little more mindful of what you write--and where you write it.

Oh, and Helen: congratulations on your new job.

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