Computer Repair person

[kthompson]

Reading a thread on bidding reminded me of a company I know who had to have hard drive replaced on computer with bids on it. Computer person said he could save the info on damaged hard drive. Just needed to do so with software and setup as his shop. He later said it was in worse shape than he thought and was not able to. OK such happens.

Guess who he was very good friends with, a competitor who ended up winning some of those jobs. Did the info go to him, they had no idea nor if so could they prove it. Just saying be sure who has access to info on your systems including repair people.

I had the same to happen with him but my business info was password protected due to federal privacy laws in my business (insurance). He was suppose to be saving pictures for me.

 

[RonG]

I would not be surprised if in fact the bid info was stolen from the defective drive.
Would it be worth it to persue it and could it be proven?I think that they would have a very good case against the repair person depending on whether the old drive was still in existense among other things.This is just another good case for backing up your data.Ron G

 

[grumpy_guy]

As a computer repair person, I take offense to that kind of thinking. When we repair peoples/corporations computers we must approach the job with blinders on, the actually content of the computer holds no interest to us. After all by fixing peoples important files we have access to many different facets of a persons life.

As for fixing a crash hard drive, it is not as easy as you may think or that the computer repair person let on. Yes there is software out there that may recover hard drives, but not really crashed ones. That is why there are specialist to do it, if the data is important enough then the $1,000.00 price tag is cheap.

Grumpy Computer Guy

 

[kthompson]

As a computer repair person, I take offense to that kind of thinking. When we repair peoples/corporations computers we must approach the job with blinders on, the actually content of the computer holds no interest to us. After all by fixing peoples important files we have access to many different facets of a persons life.

As for fixing a crash hard drive, it is not as easy as you may think or that the computer repair person let on. Yes there is software out there that may recover hard drives, but not really crashed ones. That is why there are specialist to do it, if the data is important enough then the $1,000.00 price tag is cheap.

Grumpy Computer Guy

This may come as a big surprise to you but there are some very dishonest computer repair people in this part of the world. I suspect they are in other parts also. At same time it is not just with computer repair people, they are in all lines of life.

A professional computer repair person should know what can be salvage or not but regardless should be honest. (My hard drive was working but was very noisy.) The very unprofessional guy who was in my office for service work under an extended warranty sold to be by what was suppose to be Dell but turned out to be company they sold my info to (last reason why I will not buy a Dell again) told me at least one big lie and he was caught in it by the Warranty company who did the best right thing they could. He told me at least twice he was working on the information when in truth he had shipped the hard drive back before the dates he told me he was working to save the info. He was by far not a professional computer repair person based upon not only lying to me but at least one other business I know of.

He is the type of person in my business who I do my best to help out of business. If you don't police your own industry then enjoy the rules and regs and bad press that a very small percent cause.

I do take exception with computer repair people have no interest in content on the hard drive for at least in the US there is certain illegal info regardless of where you find it you must report. Think it is true in most if not all nations

Now let me tell you of a professional computer guy who I just learned of last week; a friend had his lap top stolen. Computer guy had it taken to him to reformat the hard drive in process of doing so he found many pictures which he quickly realized were not of that person. He found the real owners name and phone number and called to ask if he had a lap top stolen to which he gave him the police department who was handling the case. Computer was returned to rightful owner and the person who had bought stolen computer cooperated with the police.

 

[grumpy_guy]

I do take exception with computer repair people have no interest in content on the hard drive for at least in the US there is certain illegal info regardless of where you find it you must report. Think it is true in most if not all nations

Now let me tell you of a professional computer guy who I just learned of last week; a friend had his lap top stolen. Computer guy had it taken to him to reformat the hard drive in process of doing so he found many pictures which he quickly realized were not of that person. He found the real owners name and phone number and called to ask if he had a lap top stolen to which he gave him the police department who was handling the case. Computer was returned to rightful owner and the person who had bought stolen computer cooperated with the police.

Lets look at this, you are upset that a computer guy may have looked at private information (quote bids) and yet you expect computer repair people to look for illegal activity? hmmm

I do come across private information, I have to believe that it is legal and private. (banking information, passwords... private photos etc..) But you would have me look for data that is none of my business.

As for the stolen laptop, why was the repair guy looking at the private photos in the first place, after all the customer asked for a reformat not for the repair guy to snoop at the private data.

And you are right there are many dishonest people in this world in all professions, but we cannot assume everybody is dishonest or bad. When it comes to private data, well it is private and as the person who is repairing the computer I must respect that privacy, just like your lawyer, doctor, police, government. Now if there is a reason for me to look at the data and I see an obvious reason to call law enforcement that is different. But asking a person to reformat your drive and reinstall the OS is no reason there to look at the data. (so though the laptop was stolen I'm concerned the repair person was invading someones privacy and that is just as serious)

 

[kthompson]

Grumpy Guy,

The most polite I can tell you is as follows:
You were not there or here or were you? If you are not that computer person you only know the details as I posted them. For space I did not tell every little bit.
I do know the computer person you have a very strange strong need to support is a liar and thief. Anyone who takes money for a service he either knows he can not do or does not attempt is a theft.
I also know the warranty company he was working for acknowledge he was dishonest.
I also had another computer person who checked my hard drive said it was no issue to save the info and was to do it but the crooked lying person showed up for the warranty repair the day before he was to and said after running the hard drive it was no problem to move the info.

I know anyone who finds stolen property and helps the rightful owner get it back is a hero to me. Again unless you were there you don't know all the details and again it puzzles me your attack on that person when again you don't have all the details and honestly I don't either. It is very possible the details were not as I presented them as I was not there either but also know the law had no issue with him or his action.

 

[grumpy_guy]

Mr Thompson, you are right I was not there, nor do I have all the information, just your version of it. I'm sorry for assuming that you provided the details that were important to this discussion.

Let's also clarify my stance as you seem to have misinterpreted or I wrote very badly the whole point of this discussion as I see it.

I do not have a strong, strange need to support this person who misrepresented himself. Not being there I have no idea if the person was telling an outright lie or he really believed it was within his capability to accomplish the task. Instead of being a liar maybe he is just an idot who does not know his own limitations. As for a thief I'm assuming there was an invoice provided for work that was not done, but I really do not know.

What I do know is that this is very personal to you and there will be no understanding middle ground.

Oh and by the way one of my many hats is I sell/install video security equipment, and have had law enforcement ask me for video that is on the street from the front window camera (if a person can be seen that is not in an establishment property with signage stating recording then those frames must be blocked). This is against Canadian privacy laws so yes to solve a crime law enforcement may over look civil rights of a perpetrator again I was not involved with that stolen laptop so I have no idea what happened.

I believe that every person and business is allowed their privacy, as a private citizen it is not with in my skill set to know what is legal and what is not. I fix your broken PC what is on your PC is your business not mine, I only look at data if it pertains to the needed fix and in 25 years I have never felt the need to call law enforcement. As for a repair person looking at private photos hmm why do you think he may have done that. (again wasn't there but I do know why others do it, think Paris Hilton)

Oh and the majority of my clients are business (actually all except a few friends) these business include doctors and lawyers should I peruse their data too. (so much for confidentiality)

 

[Steve Frazier]

grumpy guy, I don't understand why you are taking this thread so personal. I went back and read the posts and no where does it say all computer techs are crooked, just a suggestion that anyone having work done check on their on their prospective tech. In my eyes that's good advice, no matter if it's a computer, a machine or an automobile. There are good and bad mechanics in all those fields, computer techs included.

 

[grumpy_guy]

grumpy guy, I don't understand why you are taking this thread so personal. I went back and read the posts and no where does it say all computer techs are crooked, just a suggestion that anyone having work done check on their on their prospective tech. In my eyes that's good advice, no matter if it's a computer, a machine or an automobile. There are good and bad mechanics in all those fields, computer techs included.

Eh! I did not take anything personal, I have rather thick skin. (I know my writing skills need work but...)

What I did take Mr Thompson to task for was his first post leading us to believe that a computer tech used his skills to help a friend in a bidding process. And his rightly earned anger of such misuse of private and personal info. Then in his next post he wants techs to look at peoples data and report them to proper authority's. (we are not law enforcement, nor do we possess the rightful warrants)

I do take exception with computer repair people have no interest in content on the hard drive for at least in the US there is certain illegal info regardless of where you find it you must report. Think it is true in most if not all nations

So it is the classic cake and eat it too, on one hand he is upset that a tech stepped over that privacy boundary but on the other hand he wants us to police our clients. My stance has been and always will be (until law changes) that what is on your PC is your business not mine, I have NO right to snoop in files or directory's that do not pertain to the repair at hand. By the way there is no repair I can think of that warrants looking at personal photos on someones computer.

I have also already stated that there are bad people in this world but I refuse to believe that all people are bad so I respect them as I would have them respect me.

 

[Grader4me]

Then in his next post he wants techs to look at peoples data and report them to proper authority's. (we are not law enforcement, nor do we possess the rightful warrants)



So it is the classic cake and eat it too, on one hand he is upset that a tech stepped over that privacy boundary but on the other hand he wants us to police our clients. My stance has been and always will be (until law changes) that what is on your PC is your business not mine, I have NO right to snoop in files or directory's that do not pertain to the repair at hand. By the way there is no repair I can think of that warrants looking at personal photos on someones computer.

I have a question..and please don't take any offence. If you was working on someones computer, and you did see some really bad stuff and I don't want to define really bad stuff as I think you know what I'm talking about. Would it be hard not to report the person? I realize that you wouldn't be snooping so on, but all I'm saying is what if?
Myself, I would have a very hard time not to report it to the authorities. I really don't want to put you on the spot, but just how far does professionalism go? Also if you feel this is an unfair question (and it probably is) please..you don't have to reply. Its just that..well.. I'm curious..

Steve or Mods..if you think this post might cause a firestorm feel free to delete it.

 

[grumpy_guy]

If I came across "BAD STUFF", I would have no problem reporting it. The hard part is in normal repairs you do not look at files as there is no need. (virus scanning does not display individual files, nor does hardware repair)

By not looking at files also means that anybody's computer could have "BAD STUFF" and the tech would never be aware on normal repairs.

 

[kthompson]

I am not going to be drawn into "having my cake and eating it too". Long long ago learned if I eat my cake I still have it, just on my waist and not my plate.

Grumpy guy hope you well.

 

[Grader4me]

Grumpy guy hope you well.

Yeah..and don't be so darn grumpy! lol

 

[grumpy_guy]

Yeah..and don't be so darn grumpy! lol

Can't help it

It is actually the name of my computer business.

Grumpy Computer Guy

I usually just use grumpy but somebody here already beat me to it.

And I wish you all well too!

By the way if you eat your cake their is always pie for later

 

[stock]

Grumpy Guy just to let you know it happens on this side of the pond, have a read here
computer repair

repairs

 

[grumpy_guy]

All but one misdiagnosed or overcharged for the fault.

Some computer repair shops illegally accessed personal data on customers' hard drives - and even tried to hack into their bank accounts.

However, the shop which appeared to be the most serious offender was Revival Computers in Hammersmith.

Surveillance recordings in the shop appeared to show a technician browsing personal photographs and passwords and copying them across to a portable memory stick.

Thanks Stock! Your links do not work for me so had to do a search, and took out the part that I thought pertained to this thread.

As a point for everybody you should not put information on your computer that you would not want others to have. At least not in the clear, passwords are great but can be broken if not strong enough, a hidden folder or partition with your most prized data would be better.

Grumpy

 

[Dinkum]

I think a lot of the security question comes down to common sense. It's always possible that a less-than-honest repair person may someday have access to your computer. Therefore, be prepared and back up your data. Of course, I rarely heed my own advice... sometimes I'm fortunate and listen to myself... sometimes too much

 

[Arabhacks]

Dishonest service tech.

Hello.

I am a noted hacker, that means I like to explore computers.
In the late '70s I was hired by a company to do some work on the King ranch operations in Kingsville Texas.
They had a Datapoint system with 2 compact cassette drives that they ran the entire operation from, with 9 terminals on ARCnet.
Since I was young and eager I learned that system, inside and out, could make it do anything.
I met one James P. Delesdelearnier, as crooked as the day is long, a Texas special ranger.
One Belton Kleburg Johnson wanted the company records and tried to get them by any means whatsoever, and so hired Jimmy D.
I told the powers to be and was promptly fired, after all, it was the word of some kid against a Texas ranger.
Only, after about a year BK Johnson filed a lawsuit against King Ranch Inc.
He ate them alive in court.
And guess where he got the information from?
Jimmy D. bought a brand new pickup truck and paid off his house that year.
The guy who replaced me got a good job in San Antonio working for Mr. BJ Mc Combs.
I went to work for the feds.
Remember that this was in 1976 to 1979, yes, that far back.
The only thing that changed is that now computers are everywhere, and connected in such a manner as to leave them open to a remote attack.
Think of a computer as an electronic filing cabinet with a lock.
And just like any lock, it depends on the quality as well as the skill of the person.
A well skilled hacker can do TEMPEST or social engineer, or a flexi-tap, but he WILL get in.
Look up 2600.com
http://www.2600.com/
Locks?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_bumping
http://toool.us/
I have that knack for getting into things, it is just in my nature.
And, I post this not to scare anyone but to advise, remember that we are all in this together.
Right now we all need work, and the last thing anyone needs is for somebody to screw things up for the other guy.

 

[JaneHolmes]

There are lots of online [URL removed by moderator] computer support service[/URL] nowadays. It is much easy than going to different pc shops for repair, hassle and tooks a lot of time.

 

[stock]

There are lots of online computer support service nowadays. It is much easy than going to different pc shops for repair, hassle and tooks a lot of time.

Spam ............me thinks t'is a wolf in sheeps posting................