 BlackbirdBuilt for SpeedPremium
join:2005-01-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:3
 ·Frontier Communi..
| reply to Mina
Re: question about malicious software said by Mina: ...But is there any info on the other issue - could he have installed something malicious when he used the thumb drive and if so how can I find it and remove it? Am I being overly cautious and paranoid? I'd be perfectly happy if I was! 
Certainly. A knowledgeable tech using external media could conceivably install almost anything, and if he's really good, it might be very hard to detect (an MBR virus, a root-kit, etc, etc). The real question is how much you can trust the tech, who he works for, what guarantees of workmanship were given, etc. No matter who works on your system, an element of trust will always be involved... including in yourself, if you do your own work (you may not know of all the pitfalls involved in something you're attempting).
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“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.” A. de Tocqueville |
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Mina
join:2003-01-04
Tucson, AZ | Thanks for that...it may not have been exactly what I wanted to hear but it's always good to know the true scoop.
He was an authorized service technician from Dell - sent by them in response to a call from me. There was nothing about him that gave off any weird vibes except for that thumb drive.
But I'm over-reacting, aren't I? It's just that you read so much these days that pretty much scares the life out of you. I'm actually at the point that when I am in windows I keep the internet turned off. |
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 planet
join:2001-11-05
Oz
kudos:1 | Mina, your question led to a interesting read...thanks...we can never be too careful. I can relate to being stuck in an uncomfortable place wondering...  |
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Reviews:
 ·Comcast
| reply to Mina
said by Mina:
But I'm over-reacting, aren't I?
I would say so.
The thumb drive was likely bootable and contained the restore image and the means to restore it.
Relax. You're fine my friend.
Dave
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I may have been born yesterday. But it wasn't at night. |
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Mina
join:2003-01-04
Tucson, AZ
1 edit | I have relaxed a bit thank goodness. I read online that IF your bios was infected it could be fixed by resetting to factory default or flashing. A little scary but something to keep in mind.
Now about that kudos thing...not sure if I did it right but it says it was given! |
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