There must be businesses out there SPECIALIZING in keeping the home PC
secure from Internet intrusions, viruses, etc. by visiting the home
and working directly on the home owner's PC. I'd like to find 3 or 4
examples to see how they price and model their services. They may, for
example, provide a Security Audit, and then offer packages to tune and
update firewalls, spyware, etc.
Can you find 3 or 4 examples of SPECIALISTS? |
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
08 Aug 2005 01:52 PDT
doctoryes...
I personally do home PC repair, and can tell you that it
would be unrealistic to focus on security for home PCs out
of all the possible issues that might arise for the home user:
- Operating System Installation & Repair
- Virus Detection & Removal
- Adware Protection / Antivirus Installation
- Upgrade / Install Hardware (CD-ROM, Hard Drive, Memory, etc)
- Software Installation
- Router / Firewall Installation
- Internet Connection Setup / Troubleshooting
- Audio System Troubleshooting
- Video / Monitor Troubleshooting
- System Analysis / Cleanup / Optmization
- Add / Troubleshoot a Printer
- Data Recovery and Assessment of Feasibility
- Email Setup / Troubleshooting
- Personal Instruction in Computer / Software use
You're much more likely to find techs/companies that
specialize only in security soliciting business clients.
I would submit that most home PC specialists operate as
I do. Since many users won't even know they have a security
issue or a virus until I analyze their system, they wouldn't
know to seek a security specialist in the first place.
Rather, they call with a vague problem and I identify that
they have a virus. We then negotiate whether I should limit
myself to removal of the virus, or the recommendation and
installation of various freeware malware solutions, or the
installation of a software or hardware firewall, depending
on their budget and my inclinations toward charity.
If you're seeking a specialist to make recommendations for
your own home system, I can make very precise recommendations
which are predominantly free solutions, and which have kept
my PC free of any malware for over 2 years. If you want even
better security, I can detail how to set up a hardware fire-
wall, using an inexpensive router.
If you're only interested in a pricing schedule for the
average home PC repair person, I can tell you that you're
unlikely to find a specialist in security, as such, and
that most certified techs will charge between $65 and $95
an hour. Uncertfied specialists will charge less, based
on their workload and reputation. I can provide examples,
if needed.
Let me know where this takes you, and what else you might
need to consider this a satisfactory answer.
sublime1-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
doctoryes-ga
on
08 Aug 2005 14:15 PDT
sublime1,
Thank you for your detailed request for clarification.
Maybe you're right and there are no companies specializing in the
security aspects of home systems. It seems to me, though, that there
would be a market for this expertise, and, as in any area of technical
knowledge, these specialists are out there.
Therefore, my quest is to find these companies, if they exist.
Thanks again.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
08 Aug 2005 17:29 PDT
doctoryes...
An excellent resource to gauge the services provided and
fees for techs all over the United States is a site called
computerrepair.com:
https://www.computerrepair.com/index.php
If you scroll down the page and enter a zipcode, you will
be taken to a list of techs in that area. Each tech gets
to choose what services to list in their display box, and
how much they charge for each service. I think you'll
find it difficult to locate an entry for Security, as
such. This might be included under Software Service &
Support, or, in dire cases, Data Management & Recovery.
The only company I'm aware of that has made a point to
advertise specifically (with a woman screaming at her loss)
about resolving viruses is The Geek Squad, which has recently
partnered with Best Buy to offer in-store services, which
cost less than the in-home services:
http://www.geeksquad.com/main.asp
However, their webpage doesn't focus on security, as such,
and their downloadable flyer lumps virus recovery under a
list of other standard services for a single price:
"IN-HOME OPERATING SYSTEM SERVICE .............. $229
- Remove all spyware and viruses (4886877)
- Repair damaged or corrupt operating systems
- Ensure your operating system is fully functional and working properly
- Install all patches and critical updates
- Optimize your computer to suit your needs
- Remove unnecessary/unwanted icons and applications"
http://www.geeksquad.com/_assets/pdf/GS_Home_Prices.pdf
sublime1-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
doctoryes-ga
on
09 Aug 2005 13:51 PDT
sublime1,
Once again, thank you so much for your detailed information!!! I am
still interested in finding home security specialists.
doctoryes
|
