Tag: Computer repairs

Computer Security

What Is Malvertising ?

Adelaide Techguy

Love this graphic that explains Malvertising from Malwarebytes

So what is Malvertising ?

Stands for Malicious advertising that infects your computer with malware and in many cases popup ads that will not go away.

So how do you get it .You visit a website – the threats lie in the ads and these ads ( selected ones ) are designed to infect peoples computers

So how do you protect yourself – your computer from Malvertising.

An Adblocker combined with an effective antivirus solution will help combat this currently.

Tech Advice

This Is Why You Must Back Up

Adelaide Techguy

Many computer repairers will wipe your hard drive and reload your operating system when you put a computer in for repairs. 

I recently helped someone who put her laptop in for a new keyboard and the repairer replaced:

  • The Keyboard
  • The Hard Drive
  • The Ram

She gave the old hard drive to me in the hope that i would be able to get her documents off the drive , the repairer of the laptop claimed they could not ( they did not try hard enough as I was able to recover all documents ).

  • Did she need her ram changed , no.
  • Did she need a new hard drive , probably not

So when putting your computer in for repairs it pays to ask a few questions.

  • Are you an authorized repairer for the computers brand?
  • Are you going to wipe my hard drive?
  • How long will this job take?

Don’t underestimate the question of time as in Adelaide there was a computer repairer that if you got your computer back within 6 months , yes 6 months , you were doing well.

Remember have a backup schedule.

Tech Advice, Tips

10 Computer Retail Traps

Adelaide Techguy
This post was written with “tongue firmly planted in cheek” but these things still go on today in the industry and in Adelaide and are examples of poor advice and service that you could experience.
1. Shoddy Service:
You drop off your laptop to get a new battery and it is still there after 6 months (It has happened)
2. Paying An Unnecessary Price:
You are asked to pay a premium price to get your computer looked at when getting repaired and be bumped “up the queue”
3.Buying Something You Don’t Need:
You buy a new computer and are pressured into buying antivirus software, so the store gets a commission.(Do some reasearch and amke an informed choice)
4. Ducking The Issue:
You are told “we will contact you when your computer is ready” and get no answers until you ring them, then the technician is out at lunch, so you fail to get an adequate explanation of your computers issues.
5. Awful Advice:
The salesperson basing their selling techniques on what they use not what you may need.
6. Getting You In:
“Yes you can reserve a new widget, which comes out on Friday”. When you arrive on Friday you are told, “Sorry we were not allowed to reserve those widgets.
7. Vague Service:
How long will it take to fix and how much will it cost? Well first pay the deposit for us to start the job and if it is any more we will let you know but the final cost we have no idea and time to fix, well we have no idea, but a week from Thursday may be around the mark.
8. No Idea Service:
A repairman arrives at the office and proceeds to write an essay on what is wrong with your computer and why he cannot fix it and then gives you an invoice charged by the minute after not doing anything.
9. Bits And Pieces Service:
I’ve replaced your hard drive in your computer “ but what about my data and operating system “, “don’t have time to do all that “, “How is next week some time and you have to pay me now.”
10. It Pays To Read The Fine Print:
If I only needed more ram, why did you wipe my hard drive and reinstall the operating system ? It’s our policy.