Be Watchful of Utility or other service folks

[ragkar]

Dvd's are a poor way to steal software and personal info. First of all, the guy doesn't know if you have a burner or the software to burn a dvd. Secondly it takes several intermediate screens to start a burn and then it takes a while to do it.
A flash/stick drive is a lot faster and easier. Just click copy and then paste. And while that's happening you could be doing other things like setting up the router. When you're done just power down, put the stick in your pocket and leave.
I don't think that your repairman was planning to do anything bad.

 

[charlz]

I'm in IT management and haven't worked on a desktop in a long time... much less one 'in the wild'. The only thing I can think of is that he might run across customer machines that are so infected with viruses and malware that the best option is to back it up, wipe it and start over. I don't see why he would bring them into the house until he knew he needed them though.

Maybe the box of DVD's was there to distract you while a big usb drive was hanging out the back of your machine... a diversionary tactic. :laughing:

 

[dave1949]

Maybe the box of DVD's was there to distract you while a big usb drive was hanging out the back of your machine... a diversionary tactic. :laughing:

Charlz - Are you sure an honest person would think of that?

Just joking. It's what I always think of when some clever con schemes are explained.


Seems like the easiest thing to do is call the company office and tell them the repair person left their stack of DVD's in your house, and ask what you should do with them. If there is an innocent reason you will hear it, if not, well, then it's not your fault if you are trying to return his property.
Dave.

 

[wvpolekat]

Anyone even thinking about using DVDs or CDs as a method to steal data while making a service call at someones house is not going to get very far doing it. Best case scenario, it would take them 10-15 min to put the disc in, navigate to what they wanted to copy, burn it, eject the disc, shut the app down. This also assumes that the machine in question even has a burner, and software he is familiar with. Just doesn't make any sense to think that someone having blank media was up to no good. There are WAY easier and faster ways to get data off someones computer, particularly one connected to the Internet. Using CDs is like trying to use an old school Polaroid camera to steal important documents discreetly.

My guess is that he either accidentally grabbed them or something. Makes WAY more sense.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

You are paranoid. You need to call the phone company and have a little talk with a manager.