Exposed : PC Repair Shops

22-07-2009, 20:22

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

22-07-2009, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesman

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

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

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

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

22-07-2009, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

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

Russ · 22-07-2009, 21:52

I keep all my passwords and banking details on my computer but only behind truecrypt. I'd forget them otherwise

Cobbydaler · 22-07-2009, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

I keep all my passwords and banking details on my computer but only behind truecrypt. I'd forget them otherwise

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

Russ · 22-07-2009, 21:58

Is that not a good place to leave it then??

Hom3r · 22-07-2009, 22:21

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.

22-07-2009, 22:23

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

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7

Probably people like me who are not computer savvy!

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