Beware of computer repair shops

[Aneeda72]

I don't trust Best Buy any more because my aunt got ripped off when they reinstalled her operating system. She's was in her 70's when they did it and doesn't know anything about computer's. She was charged 200.00

As far as I know the 200.00 is a standard charge and includes repairs on up to 3 devices, protection coverage, etc for a year. I have always used Best Buy geek squad and had no issues. But then there is nothing sensitive on my computer. Just genealogy on one and a game on the other.

 

[oldpop]

A reflection of the corrupt unethical world we now live in today.

Thinking about taking your computer to the repair shop? Be very afraid

https://arstechnica.com/information...lt-in-snooping-of-sensitive-data-study-finds/

...recovered logs from laptops after receiving overnight repairs from 12 commercial shops. The logs showed that technicians from six of the locations had accessed personal data and that two of those shops also copied data onto a personal device. Devices belonging to females were more likely to be snooped on, and that snooping tended to seek more sensitive data, including both sexually revealing and non-****** pictures, documents, and financial information.

Never?

 

[Victoria]

It doesn't matter how careful you are, if you have accessed the web in any way your information is there. It's like using a credit/debit card the information is there and once used you are on the gird. It's all about money and information is a valuable and marketable commodity.

Every time you fill out a survey, get a rewards loyalty card, credit/debit card, power up your smartphone someone is there monitoring you. Even your printer has stored information on it's HD. In this day and age of Drones, CCTV's, The Cloud, Bluetooth,,,etc, no one is invisible! Big brother is always watching.

Yup, and even if you're careful, you will be on the grid by way of family and friends if they have your phone number and address in their phone as a contact or a picture of you in their phone. If someone hacks their phone, now they have your info too. No one is off the grid because everyone has family and friends who have cell phones and computers. No one can hide.

 

[Victor]

And beware of customer help call ceenters. They know little and can waste your time and even harm your computer or phone or TV. I don't trust them anymore. It may be ignorance or possibly malice

 

[deaver]

i am not a repair shop.I have fixed home computers that had software problems, installed/upgraded various misc internal boards. since win xp you cannot swap hard drives. I have never taken any one else personal info or photos nor installed malicious software. but i work cheap,,, snacks and pop...i dont do this for money, its more like a hobby

 

[Victoria]

And beware of customer help call ceenters. They know little and can waste your time and even harm your computer or phone or TV. I don't trust them anymore. It may be ignorance or possibly malice

Some of them ask to gain remote control of your screen when they don't need to. That's letting them into your computer.

 

[Jean-Paul]

Bonjour à tous I have built and maintained Windows PCS since 1986, Windows 3.

As PCS are less and less used, and most users ( younger generation) have migrated to exclusive use of mobiles and some tablets, the market for old style computer and repair shops is declining.

A few tips..

1. Daily or weekly backup everything to the cloud storage and external USC SSD drive. find and use antivirus and Anti-Malware software. free version is enough.

2. retire the old or ailing PC if it's over a few years old (before Windows 10) and just get a modern new one, then load your software and files off the backup.

3. Had great results with Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 laptop and HP ELITEDESK 800 G3,G5 desktop.

4. Consider a new modern high resolution large external monitor if the laptops screen is hard to read . We use 27" Samsung curved and 38"LG.

5. If your computer skills or experience is limited, find a friend, neighbors or relatives] whose may advise you better than a computer guy.

6. Avoid service in any chain stored eg Best Buy,Target.

Just the ramblings of an old retired EE

Jon

 

[Robert59]

I will not get another Dell computer because after just four years of having it and burned and lost all my files. I will just buy a brand new one from Walmart.

 

[Trish]

Some of them ask to gain remote control of your screen when they don't need to. That's letting them into your computer.

A few years ago, I was having an issue with my home computer and someone I worked with suggested that a friend of theirs, apparently a computer wiz, could fix the issue remotely if I allowed temporary access. It caused a bit of an atmosphere when I politely declined. In fact, I fixed the issue myself. I was surprised at how many people I worked with who thought it was perfectly safe to allow someone access to your PC.