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-   -   Exposed : PC Repair Shops (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33653074)

yesman 22-07-2009 20:22

Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

When Sky News launched an undercover investigation into PC repair shops, it turned to PC Pro readers for help with identifying rogue traders. As a result, Sky's cameras caught technicians scouring through private photos, stealing passwords and over-charging for basic repairs. Here is what they found
Hardly surprising news really, but what can the general public do as an alternative?

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/262978/e...passwords.html

martyh 22-07-2009 20:32

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by yesman (Post 34838988)
Hardly surprising news really, but what can the general public do as an alternative?

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/262978/e...passwords.html


well to start with they could learn the basics of computer maintenance
alot of people are just unwilling to learn anything about them
Three years ago i didn't even own a computer now i have no problems installing ram ,re-installing the os, adding hardware ,i even built a basic pc for my sister in-law .The only time i would ever use one of these shops is to buy something never for repairs

admars 22-07-2009 20:49

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
it's like any service industry though isn't it?

it's a shame, but I can't say I'm surprised. I mean I know almost nothing about cars, so when I take it for an MOT and they tell me something is wrong, I just believe them, but that's not quite as bad as going through all your belongings. But I guess they probably have a rummage through the glove compartment and boot.

i'm not interested in cars, I'll ask my dad first if there's a problem, or my neighbour, then take it to a garage, and hope they're honest.

Some ppl aren't interested in computers themselves, just want to use them, but I guess their ignorance could cause emotional as well as financial harm.

v0id 22-07-2009 21:13

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Who leaves all their banking info and passwords in a text file on a mobile computer anyway, let alone marked private.

Kymmy 22-07-2009 21:19

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
There are tools that can recover passwords, used them myself when I was workshop manager but only at the request of the cutomer to recover lost passwords..

There are a lot of cowboys out there :( Seen a few myself, even had a few work for me until I found out :(

martyh 22-07-2009 21:45

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id (Post 34839012)
Who leaves all their banking info and passwords in a text file on a mobile computer anyway, let alone marked private.

same type of people who write their pin on the back of the card :dozey:

Russ 22-07-2009 21:52

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
I keep all my passwords and banking details on my computer but only behind truecrypt. I'd forget them otherwise :erm:

Cobbydaler 22-07-2009 21:55

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B (Post 34839032)
I keep all my passwords and banking details on my computer but only behind truecrypt. I'd forget them otherwise :erm:

And your truecrypt password is on a post it on the monitor, so you don't forget it... :erm:

Russ 22-07-2009 21:58

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Is that not a good place to leave it then?? :spin:

Hom3r 22-07-2009 22:21

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
I have a double-sided sheet of A4 with full login details (www links, username & password) sitting on my desk.

As I cannot remember all 40+ of them.

zing_deleted 22-07-2009 22:23

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
I use a password manager that stores them encypted just one master password to remember. I have never typed my passwords in as the manager creates them and remembers them for each site.

Dai 22-07-2009 22:31

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
I guess it's the same as motor garages in some ways. I'll always ask friends and colleagues for names they trust rather than take pot luck or believe what they say in Yellow Pages.

All my business comes from recommendations. The only advertising you can trust and it keeps me as busy as I can handle.

I'd never consider any of these rip-off tricks although I must admit that in rescueing/recovering client folders on a few occasions I've seen some private pictures and movies. Sometimes you just have to check. If you find something named "New folder" how else do you know if it needs saving?

Druchii 22-07-2009 22:32

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
I just remember my passwords/login names.
All different, all easy enough.

Ah, the benefits of being young...

Oh, and in my job as Tech Support, we are trusted with users private data 24/7. We do not abuse this. We will lose our jobs.

lucy7 22-07-2009 22:41

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id (Post 34839012)
Who leaves all their banking info and passwords in a text file on a mobile computer anyway, let alone marked private.

Probably people like me who are not computer savvy!;)

Dai 22-07-2009 23:26

Re: Exposed : PC Repair Shops
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7 (Post 34839079)
Probably people like me who are not computer savvy!;)

You'd be amazed how many people do this. You are not alone...


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