Sky News exposes dodgy laptop repair shops

[the_duderama]

I like how they call some spaz in a computer repair shop a professional, and then compare them to a teacher/solicitor/accountant.

[Platypus]

I like how they call some spaz in a computer repair shop a professional, and then compare them to a teacher/solicitor/accountant.

Indeed, many are basically trained monkeys!

[PM-Junkie]

So you wont mind the electrician having a rummage through your other halfs underwear draw next time he is at yours for a blown fuse? Just in case you have some child porn in there?

The electrician we use is of the female persuasion...so let me think on the ramifications of your question and get back to you later

[TriggerHippy]

IMO nothing wrong with looking round the hard drive : suppose they found child porn?

However copying the data is clearly wrong. And attempting to login to NatWest account is surely criminal. I hope the police are involved.

I just don't agree, regardless of what pr0n could be on the drive. You don't expect your gardener to be snooping through your study or the mechanic listening to your CD collection or reading the mail you left in the glove box.

You should be able to expect and be entitled to a reasonable amount of privacy. Any shop that goes sifting through your data files should be sued.

[PM-Junkie]

I just don't agree, regardless of what pr0n could be on the drive. You don't expect your gardener to be snooping through your study or the mechanic listening to your CD collection or reading the mail you left in the glove box.

You should be able to expect and be entitled to a reasonable amount of privacy. Any shop that goes sifting through your data files should be sued.

I agree, but there is still a little part of me that thinks that anyone who is silly enough to hand over their hard drive to PC World deserves what they get. If I did, I would be amazed if I got the same one back.

[Platypus]

Any shop that goes sifting through your data files should be sued.

IIRC you can only sue someone if loss/damage occurs

[the_duderama]

Not just a technician, but an Engineer...

I even avoid calling myself an "engineer" or "professional" as i'm not chartered through any engineering establishment nor do i have a B.ENG/M.ENG.

[NotAllThere]

I think the point is, your typical user when faced with a laptop that won't boot has no option but to leave personal info on it.

When my laptop went in for repair (power socket broken), I took the HD out.

Not exactly a difficult job on most laptops. The laptop was still under warranty, and, no, taking the harddrive out didn't invalidate that.

[Cyberman]

Browsing your files is wrong but not really scandalous. Finding bank details and trying to use them is utterly illegal.

.. but could be lucrative !!