data recovery scams

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:47 pm

everyone here is probably smarter than being scammed like this, but it's nice to see an undercover report expose some of it.

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/investi ... s_20090727

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:45 pm

Just like those ads you see on TV: make your pc run faster. Seems like they change their name every other month. Finally Fast is now something else.

As to the story, that is why I always copy my important files externally to another HD and DVD.

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:13 am

Rule of thumb for things super important: Always have at least one backup, test your backups, don't keep your only backup on-site.

So for many of us, a safety deposit box will do the trick. A simple fire can easily take out your home along with your data and those backups you made. Don't think that can never happen to you.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:09 pm

Beware the latest fad: fake defrag apps. They of course always find a serious problem that can only be repaired by the "pro" version.

Don't get me started on FinallyFast.com and it's more recent incarnation.

I thought when you advertised on TV you were subject to better scrutiny from the Fed, but those bastards have been at it for a while.

MajorGeeks.com is still a nice safe place to download freeware, trialware & shareware. Cnet is another, although I'm not too happy with all the BS ads for "Registry Cleaners" they have on their download pages. Nothing malicious, but definitely a little sketchy, and designed to fool non-techies.