Can You Entrust Your Data To Computer Repair Shops?

Summary: This brief blog addresses the questions, “Can computer repair shops steal your data without passwords?” and “Are onsite computer repairs performed by an IT service company a safer option?” To discuss all your business IT solutions, contact GEEK-AID Computer and Network Support https://www.geekaid.com/.

Our personal information and private data have never been more vulnerable. The connected universe has hackers working overtime to find new ways of attacking your devices and the data they hold. But you probably haven’t considered the security risks of bringing your computer in for repair. Research has shown that an IT service company and its technicians can access private data while repairing a customer’s computer or other connected devices, such as laptops, cell phones and tablets, without their passwords. As privacy policies are rare for repair shops, you must take the lead in securing your data before handing over your device. Armed with just your PIN to open your device, someone can access any file that doesn’t have the proper security settings in place. If the data is of value or interest to them, they can copy and save it.

Unfortunately, a hacker can breach your device if you do not encrypt your data and have weak passwords. Once they get in, they can scroll through your emails, texts, photos, social networking platforms and files stored in the Cloud. The same concept applies to computer repair technicians. However, the big difference is that you voluntarily hand over your devices for repair, and the techies can take their time breaking into and browsing through your data.

Should I Wipe My iPhone Before Repair?

Many users wonder if the same risks apply to iPhone repair. As our phones are minicomputers – storing our data and connecting to our networks and the Internet – they are certainly part of the cybercrime target landscape. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your iPhone (or any device) before bringing it in for repair:

• Backup All Data – Data backup is imperative before repairing your iOS device. Backups are essential even if the repair shop has no interest in harvesting your data. If the device is beyond repair and you cannot power it up or read your data, a recent backup will be the key to getting you up and running when you get a new machine.
  • If Your Device is Under Warranty – If you must send your device back to the manufacturer for service and it’s under warranty, the company might send back a new device. Without a solid data backup, you will be starting from scratch and will have lost control over the broken device you surrendered to the repair technicians. Find My Phone apps may help you locate, lock and wipe your old device remotely if a technician powers it up again.
• Remove SIM Card (if applicable) – SIM cards in cell phones hold key identifying data and other private data pieces to a cyberthief’s puzzle.
• Remove From Apple ID Device List – Your device must be removed from your list of Apple ID devices as they are all connected and store data locally and in the Cloud.
• Research a Computer Repair Service’s Reputation – It is prudent to vet computer repair shops carefully. Factors to evaluate are years in business, online customer reviews and the overall professionalism of the service. Also, when possible, an onsite visit and a conversation with the business’s management about privacy issues can help put your mind at ease.

Given the current cyber climate, this is not a time to be lazy about performing due diligence when seeking a reputable computer repair business or completing regular backups. Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and cybercriminals count on users to let things slide because they don’t feel they are important enough to draw the attention of hackers. That false sense of security is a vulnerability that cyber thieves capitalize upon every day.

Other Computer Repair Scams

Once you select an IT service company to repair your computer, you must still proceed with caution. Just as unreputable car mechanics might replace or ‘fix’ something you don’t need, so is the case with computer repairs. Here are some other scams to watch for:

• Swapping Out Parts – Repair scammers can replace your functional high-end parts with cheaper or used parts. Then, they sell your better parts to someone else. Insist that the shop returns any original parts they’ve replaced and specifies exactly what they’ve replaced them with.
• Broken Beyond Repair – One of the oldest repair scams around is when the technician claims your computer is broken beyond repair. But to save the day, they have another device on hand to sell you. Generally, when this happens, you should thank them and get your computer back. There might be little wrong with your computer, but the con includes selling you a new one and then repairing and reselling your original one. Ironically, you are likely to end up with a lower-quality device.

Many businesses have adopted a “Zero Trust” policy regarding networked devices that store and transmit data. Home users are just as vulnerable but with far fewer resources. Today’s cybercrime atmosphere is charged, the target landscape widens all the time and there are legitimate reasons to be careful when employing any computer repair service.