Porn Perils of a Second Hand Computer

Perhaps Mark Smith thought he had a bargain with his second hand computer. What he never expected was that the computer would have him charged and convicted of possessing child pornography. The images were on the computer not by his own actions:

“…Mr. Newton retained a forensic computer expert who analyzed Mr. Smith’s computer hard drive.

When Mr. Smith’s trial resumed in February 2007, that expert told the court that the child porn contained in the “unallocated space” was downloaded by previous owners of the computer.”

link: Trial acquits man charged with possessing child porn

Mr Smith’s conviction was overturned and he was exonerated.

Perhaps you might want to think about scrubbing that second hand hard drive and starting fresh…

Catherine