The answer desk
Straight answers. One place.
What a security check covers, what to do when something looks wrong, and what to have ready before a repair. These are the same answers you’ll find in the individual case files.
Before you call
Back to the main streetWhat is a physical security check?
A walk through the room your network lives in: the doors and locks, the racks and cables, the battery backup and cooling, and every device and machine in the room. Each one gets three questions. Is it operating, is it safe, and is it unaltered? Then you hear in plain English what we found.
A popup says my computer is infected and to call a number. What do I do?
Don't call it, and don't let anyone connect to your computer. Real security warnings never ask you to phone a number or pay with gift cards. Hold the power button until the computer shuts off, then call us. If you already let someone in, call your bank from a different phone and let us check the computer. Scammers often leave remote access software and startup files behind so they can come back. We find those and remove them.
I think someone got into my email. What do I do first?
From a different device you trust, change the email password and turn on two factor sign in. Check the recovery phone number, the recovery email and any forwarding rules, because whoever got in may have changed them to get back in later. Then call us and we will check the computer it happened on.
Do you come to me, or do I bring it in?
Security checks, WiFi, networks and setups happen where the equipment lives, so we come to you. For repairs, we fix it on site when we can, or take the device with us and bring it back fixed.
How much does it cost?
It depends on what's wrong and what needs checking, so we don't guess. We look first and give you a real price before any work starts. No surprise bill.
How fast can you get here?
It depends on the day and where you are. Call or send the signal and we'll give you an honest time, not a guess.
What areas do you cover?
Home base is Cassville. We take calls all over Barry County, including Monett, Exeter, Washburn, Purdy and Seligman, north to Aurora and Springfield, and down into NW Arkansas: Eureka Springs, Pea Ridge, Bella Vista, Rogers, Centerton and Springdale.
Physical security checks
Read the case fileWhat is a physical security check?
A walk through the room where your network and computers live: the doors and locks, the racks and cables, the battery backups and cooling, and every device and machine in the room. We check that each one is operating, safe and unaltered, then tell you in plain English what we found.
Do I need a big server room for this?
No. Most small businesses have a closet, a shelf in the back office or a cabinet under the counter. Wherever your network lives, that is the room we check.
Will you change anything without asking?
No. You hear what we found and what it costs to fix before any work starts. Your stuff stays yours.
What about the computers themselves?
The two go together. A cyber security checkup covers the accounts, passwords, updates and network settings on the same machines we look at in the room.
Cyber security checkups
Read the case fileDo I need a checkup if nothing seems wrong?
That is the best time. Most security problems are quiet: a reused password, a missed update, a router on its factory settings. They cause no trouble until someone else finds them first.
Will I have to remember a bunch of new passwords?
No. A password manager remembers them for you. You remember one strong password, and it fills in the rest.
What is two factor sign in?
A second check after your password, like a code sent to your phone. Even if someone steals the password, they still cannot get in without that second step.
Do you check businesses too?
Yes. Offices, shops and restaurants. Small business security and IT has the details, and a physical security check covers the network closet.
Virus and scam removal
Read the case fileIs the warning on my screen real?
If it has a phone number in it, it's fake. Microsoft, Apple and real antivirus programs don't put phone numbers in their warnings and don't ask you to call. Nobody legitimate asks to be paid in gift cards.
I already let them connect. Now what?
Turn the computer off. If you shared any card or account details, call your bank from another phone. Then call us. We'll remove what they installed and check what they could reach.
Can you check my computer even if nothing seems wrong?
Yes. If something feels off, we can look it over and tell you whether anything is running that shouldn't be. A cyber security checkup goes further and locks down the accounts too.
Small business security and IT
Read the case fileCan you work around our business hours?
Tell us when it works for you and we'll be straight about whether we can make it.
Do you help with security?
That is the focus. Our founder holds a master's degree in cybersecurity. We clean up after scams and malware, lock down accounts and networks, and check the closet the network lives in.
Somebody clicked a bad link. What now?
Disconnect that computer from the network, then change the password for any account they typed in, from a different device. Then call us and we will check what the link did.
WiFi and home network security
Read the case fileDo I need to buy a mesh system before you come?
No. If you already have one, we'll set it up. If not, we can tell you what makes sense for the size and layout of your home before you spend anything.
Will my internet get faster?
Mesh can't make your internet plan faster than what you pay for. It gets that speed into the rooms where it wasn't reaching.
Is the password on the sticker good enough?
For the WiFi it can be a decent start, but the admin password that controls the router should be changed. Whoever controls the router can see and redirect everything on your network.
Do you set up networks for businesses too?
Yes. Offices, shops and restaurants. Small business security and IT has the details.
Computer, phone and tablet repair
Read the case fileIs my old device worth fixing?
Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. We look at what's wrong, tell you what the repair costs, and give you an honest opinion on whether that money is better spent on a replacement. You make the call.
Will I lose my files?
Most repairs never touch your files. If a repair could put them at risk, we tell you before we start so you can decide how to handle it.
How long does a screen repair take?
It depends on the model and whether the part is on hand. We'll give you an honest timeline when we quote the job.
Do you work on business computers too?
Yes. Office desktops, laptops and the network they sit on. Small business security and IT has the details.
Game console repair
Read the case fileWhat is joystick drift?
Drift is when the stick registers movement while you aren't touching it, so your character or camera slides around on its own. It comes from wear inside the stick, and the fix is replacing the stick module.
Do you need a deposit?
When a repair needs parts ordered, a deposit may be needed to cover them. We'll tell you up front.
Independent scam guidance
The Federal Trade Commission’s guide to tech support scams explains suspicious popups, unsolicited support calls and what to do after giving a scammer access.
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