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

Discussion in 'hardware' started by guest, Nov 22, 2022.

  1. guest

    guest Guest

    No Privacy in the Electronics Repair Industry
    By Dan Goodin @dangoodin001 - November 21, 2022

    arXiv: No Privacy in the Electronics Repair Industry
    (PDF): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2211.05824.pdf
     
  2. bellgamin

    bellgamin Registered Member

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    Is there a practical answer to this situation? Would adding an eternal drive help, if I kept all personal & sensitive data thereon? So only the system drive would be in the computer when it goes to the doctor?
     
  3. monkeylove

    monkeylove Registered Member

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    Might a guest account or one created for repair with limited access help?
     
  4. noway

    noway Registered Member

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    As a resident of Guelph, this is disconcerting. Glad I have been able to do my own fixing.
     
  5. Hadron

    Hadron Registered Member

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    I've never ever taken any of my computers for repair.
    I build (desktops) and repair them all myself.

    I'd rather smash it then take it to some stranger for repairs. :D:eek:
     
  6. Oldie1950

    Oldie1950 Registered Member

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    That's how I've done it in the past too.:)
     
  7. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    Luckily I have never had to take my PC's to the repair shop, but it's a no brainer that you can't trust these people, so no surprise here.

    This is something that should be offered by the OS like Windows and Android for example. I suppose when your data is encrypted it will also help.
     
  8. monkeylove

    monkeylove Registered Member

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    What I did in Windows was make a new account (in the section for adding, editing, etc., users) with non-admin access and let any techs use that. But it can only be used to test any hardware components that needed to be replaced or added. I still have to install drivers, etc., myself.

    It also can't be used for software repair.
     
  9. reasonablePrivacy

    reasonablePrivacy Registered Member

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    No, it won't help. Technician can simply boot from livecd. He can also remove SSD/HDD from the inside then plug in to his/her computer as an external drive.
    Essentially only full disk encryption* or swapping drive will help.
    Go to a friend with spare drive. Ask for help: let him/her install fresh OS copy onto that drive and replace yours laptop inner drive with that drive.

    Of course if client does not give a password.
     
  10. pegas

    pegas Registered Member

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    Frankly I never met anyone who needed a repair shop. Almost everyone has tech geeks among relatives, friends, colleagues or they know other ones who are able to repair comps. As for business machines, that's a different story.
     
  11. EASTER

    EASTER Registered Member

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    Same :thumb: You should see the cost for just half hour labor at some of them $75 is what i seen at one.
     
  12. monkeylove

    monkeylove Registered Member

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    You're right! That means I'll need a spare drive with the OS in it. If the machine is difficult to open or parts removed, like some laptops and all-in-one PCs, then I'll have to bring it to a local shop and wait for the repair man to remove the drive and put in the spare one. I tried opening a laptop once and almost damaged the screen.
     
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