Electronics

[bonnielu]

I had a virus on my computer about 3 months ago. A friend suggested I call a Tech company online to help me. They charged me a hefty bill to clean and clear my computer. I felt safe afterwards but it really cost me. I figured they were history after the 3 month deal. Well they have been calling me and calling me. I was finally offered for one year at $149.00. They would take over my computer if I got into any more "fun stuff." They did save me before but now I am wondering if I should renew with them My friend said they were associated with AOL but I am not sure of this. I also have a Comcast account. I am new to this. Would Comcast be free? Anyone have advice or experience with services that work remotely?

[hckynut]

How much protection do you have on your computer? If you have enough and it is a good one working correctly, you shouldn't need to pay any $149 to keep it safe. I realize at times things do happen and people need the help of tech people.

There are so many good free programs available nowadays to protect your computer you shouldn't have to be paying that kind of money to keep it safe. You have to do with what you feel is comfortable for you to have pieced of mind when it comes to these things.

If nothing else, I hope you have everything you value that is on your computer, backed up on an external hard drive/thumb drive or CD/DVD. If not? Now would be a good time to do it.

Since nobody else has replied to this yet I am sure others will have some very good advice/suggestions for you to protect you system. Just remember that the more information you put in your threads the easier it makes someone to help you with problems and/or questions one might have for them.

[Nuttmeg]

Well they have been calling me and calling me. I was finally offered for one year at $149.00.

I can see this company looking for a long contact with you for service. They may want automatic renewal on a credit card.

[glb613]

There is no reason to pay someone to clean your computer. It's something you can do yourself.

[PamelaSue72]

I wouldn't do it either. There's no reason for this. I think that sometimes these companies can tell when people are not computer-literate and they'll take advantage every chance they get.

If something happens and you need them again, you call them again. Otherwise, there's no good reason for this (other than giving them money). If your system is backed up properly (it is, isn't it?), I wouldn't even worry.

[dooBdoo]

bonnielu, I have to agree with the others who say this doesn't sound like a good idea. Perhaps if you provided the name of the company we could let you know if we're aware of them? Frankly, I'd be unhappy with a business that was "calling me and calling me." I'm wary of this sort of practice. As for Comcast, I don't think they provide anything other than basic, free antivirus software download and possibly minimal question/answer support of that package (someone can correct me if I'm wrong).

[bonnielu]

I got caught in this. About three months ago my computer was not cooperating. I could not get anywhere but ON. I was hacked. On my tablet I got an email from a friend who told me I WAS HACKED. He suggested I go to a company online that was associated with AOL which is where I have my email (I am on Comcast but I am a creature of habit so I keep my email on AOL. I called them and they remotely took the computer to a safe place. The price was high and I got three free months.... yeah right. Now the months are up and they are driving me crazy. They have Indian accents but I am told they are based in DC. They are polite and helpful. They talked me through my crazy keyboard that went dead a week ago. I managed to find another one stored away and I am good to go.

I wish I knew how to clean my computer. And I have only pictures to back up. I am very intuitive but not trained to fix computers when they go wrong since the WRONG changes what seems on a daily basis.

I had a computer friend, a young fellow who practically adopted us. However he got over the top greedy and I cannot depend upon him to take my best interests over his.

I have Windows 8 on one computer and Windows on the other. The New computer is an ASUS and the "friend" made sure it was working. I have AVG and Malwarebytes and I keep them up to date. I would love to buy a laptop (gave my old one to my daughter) with a touch screen and all the bells and whistles and say goodbye to the PC's. However I just am a creature of habit and don't want to give up the computer on the table.

If you all have a place to check on programs that are free that I can use to clean the computers or do other good stuff... let me know. I do go to Download.com which is CNET. However, tricky since sometimes the program has a paid choice and it is hard to figure out which is which. Free sometimes goes into not so free.

I want to buy a laptop but want a free word program. Love Office but want a free version. I am getting cheap in my old age, I guess. Lots of expenses, mostly things that damage my house in the last few storms. I have a nickname among my friends... CALAMITY.

[bonnielu]

Just another note. Thanks for all your help. Love this forum because the electronics part has such bright, intelligent helpful people.

I appreciate your help and your time.

-bonnie

[Tzu4u]

Computers are not mysterious. Computer upkeep of files and security is not rocket science. You do not have to be a genius to be able to do basic steps to keep your computer safe from hackers or virus's. Cleaning the junk files out of your computer is also easy to do

There is no excuse for anyone to not know how to do these basic things on your computer. It is your responsibility if you are going on the internet and using a computer to know the basic steps to keep your computer running well and secure. Go to your local high school or community college and spend under $100.00 to take a class. You will be so happy to know how to do these things yourself!!.

You could still have computer problems even after learning to do these things yourself. I would recommend finding a local computer repair shop instead of giving your credit card to an unknown business over the internet.

I keep my extended warranty with HP and send my computer to them for any work I need done that i cannot do myself.

[Nuttmeg]

This is a free office program http://www.openoffice.org/product/index.html .