Ashley found an old Roku in the back of the closet while she was spring cleaning. She had a neighbor that wanted one, so it seemed like a perfect fit. It seemed like the only thing to do was to plug it in and see if it still worked. 

Ashley was navigating through the settings to see if it could still connect to WiFi when she noticed that the device was still signed in to her account. When she created the account, she had to enter in personal information and a credit card to setup the Roku and to download new apps. Thankfully, she found the option to reset the device to factory settings and remove her personal information before giving it away.

These days, many people have old devices gathering dust in a closet, attic, or barn loft. There are several programs and organizations in Oregon that will help you e-cycle or donate your devices. Or, perhaps, you have friends, family, or acquaintances to pass your tech on to. Whatever path you take, there are a few steps to consider taking before those devices leave your ownership.

1. Make copies of any files you might want to keep, like family photos, medical records, or recent tax returns. Consider using a cloud storage service like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Apple iCloud to access files on a variety of connected devices, or use an external storage device like a flash drive. 

2. Protect your personal and financial information by wiping the hard drive or running a factory reset. Even simple streaming devices hold more information than you might realize. The device manufacturer's website should have instructions on how to reset it to factory settings.

3. Find a reputable program or organization. If you already have someone lined up to take your tech, congratulations! If not, here are some resources to help your search:

ecycleoregon.org 

freegeek.org

911cellphonebank.org

goodwill.org