EGeezer
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1 edit |  File stealing techs -
Well, some folks at the Consumerist install a capture program on a PC, then take it to Geek Squad to have them install software. What happens from there on in should make you think twice about leaving sensitive data or even legally owned media on your system when taking it to a shop.
See this link for story and video.
Note this is Geek Squad, but it could be any shop, and it isn't all techs, but enough for us to be concerned and protect ourselves.
Also, in this case it was porn, but it could have been logins, tax files, investment or banking information and so on. It could have been those "DRM free" i-Tunes with your account information tied to it. Only you know what you have on there that someone could use or steal.
There's really no way for the ordinary customer to know what happens after the PC is out of his sight.
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Kiwi
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| "Then we caught one well-seasoned Geek Squad Agent copying personal and pornographic images and video from our computer to his company-issued thumb drive"
Another reason to get familiar with a good Mum & Pop store, I have always advocated a local small business environment will stay true to their customers. |
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swhx7
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1 edit | reply to EGeezer
They weren't stealing, they were copying the files.
Edit: This does not diminish the impropriety. The employees should be fired and their conduct prevented in future. I'm just clarifying that theft is the wrong category here. As far as the reports indicate, the techs copied without deleting, so the owners were not deprived of the files. |
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Kiwi
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USA
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| said by swhx7  :They weren't stealing, they were copying the files. *Sigh* Once in a while, customers expect a service without getting shafted!
I have to think your post had the sarcasm button muted~! |
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mers2
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| reply to swhx7
said by swhx7 :They weren't stealing, they were copying the files. Translation: stealing files.
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Happyrat
Google Is Your Best Friend
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join:2002-07-01
Disneyland
| reply to EGeezer
If some bedwetting tech wanted to steal my pron I'd prolly burn him a DVD and set him up with a few good links 
Seriously though I'm more worried about sending a HD back on an RMA to the manufacturer. That's a situation where you have no control what's on your HD after a crash be it torrents, warez, movies, music or anything else of questionable legal status.
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Owlbet
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| reply to EGeezer
said by EGeezer :Well, some folks at the Consumerist install a capture program on a PC, then take it to Geek Squad to have them install software. What happens from there on in should make you think twice about leaving sensitive data or even legally owned media on your system when taking it to a shop. Thankfully, some of us prefer to fix our own.
Recently, I started collecting computers to use as crunchers for Team Discovery. I've purchased (for cheap) three complete Dell sytems in various configurations. The first Dell had it's operating system completely reloaded by the previous owner. Smart choice!
The second Dell only had it's documents removed. The previous owner opted not to reformat and left the operating system and some high-end software intact. Once home with this computer, I booted right into the BIOS to begin a reformat and installation of the operating system. I never saw the desktop of that Dell after I purchased it from the previous owner. I wasn't after the data or even the software, I just wanted the computer.
The third Dell had nothing removed. The previous owner was selling me a computer complete with her treasured family photos. I asked why she didn't reload the operating system and she said she didn't know how. I told her that I wouldn't look at her pictures or other documents. I was going to reformat the computer the minute I got it home and that I didn't need to get to the desktop to do so.
While I never violated the privacy of the previous owners of these computers by browsing to see what was left behind, I made sure the previous owners didn't leave anything behind (hardware keyloggers, etc) to violate mine.
I've only taken a computer to a shop (CompUsa) once. Since that was an expensive endeavour, I've made it a point to learn how do "do-it-myself".
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n1zuk
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| reply to mers2
said by mers2 :said by swhx7 :They weren't stealing, they were copying the files. Translation: stealing files. No, no, you misunderstood. He was just performing a complimentary off-site backup for you... 
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EGeezer
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| reply to swhx7
said by swhx7 :... As far as the reports indicate, the techs copied without deleting, so the owners were not deprived of the files. It's nice to know that If a hacker or tech copies file(s)or information on your system that result in them having your name, address, DOB, SSN, and/or a few account numbers and passwords it isn't depriving you of anything
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The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes or its theories will hold water.
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mers2
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| reply to n1zuk
said by n1zuk :said by mers2 :said by swhx7 :They weren't stealing, they were copying the files. Translation: stealing files. No, no, you misunderstood. He was just performing a complimentary off-site backup for you... Only if he gives me any "off site" disks created. 
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Blackhood5
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| reply to mers2
Now now... Careful. If we call this stealing, instead of copying, it gives the **AA more strength.
/sarcasm
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Sindows 7
join:2006-09-13
Hope, BC | reply to EGeezer
Maybe you should learn to use and maintain your own computer. |
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Kiwi
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| said by Sindows 7 :Maybe you should learn to use and maintain your own computer. Funny & you forgot the /humour switch...LOL |
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EGeezer
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| reply to Sindows 7
said by Sindows 7 :Maybe you should learn to use and maintain your own computer. At least I can get Crap cleaner to work |
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pelouzer
join:2006-08-06
Woolwine, VA | reply to n1zuk
Lmao@offsite backup
I agree, self maintaining systems is way to go. |
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Desdinova
join:2003-01-26
Gaithersburg, MD
| reply to EGeezer
"It's nice to know that If a hacker or tech copies file(s)or information on your system that result in them having your name, address, DOB, SSN, and/or a few account numbers and passwords it isn't depriving you of anything"
They're not; your data is still available for you to use. Now if they used that information and deprived me of the benefits accrued to my identity, then THAT'S stealing from me. Using the data is a completely different process from simply duplicating the data. |
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Vamp
5c077
Premium
join:2003-01-28
MD | reply to EGeezer
You can't steal a file because it doesn't have physical existence.
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ydoucare
join:2003-03-12
Rensselaer, IN | reply to Desdinova
Things like this make me thankful I can build and maintain my own systems. |
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Lowtarget
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Alger, OH
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| I would have to aggree with ydoucare. I learned how to work on computers very early. This was my first so called computer.
»www.old-computers.com/museum/com···236&st=1 |
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BandHeight
join:2004-08-30
Portland, TX
| reply to Blackhood5
said by Blackhood5 :Now now... Careful. If we call this stealing, instead of copying, it gives the **AA more strength. /sarcasm Yep.
Anyone who has to strictly limit / simplify the definition of "steal" in order to justify philosophical opposition to the RIAA (copyrights, generally) or allegiance to the idea of FOSS is either too mentally deficient to make rational, logical cases for these philosophies where they do exist or, alternatively, the philosophies are inherently fatally flawed. I suggest the former is the case. |
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