ERIE – “Tech support that goes to you” is the business mantra of Joshua Higdon.

The 25-year-old owns and operates I.T. On The Go, a mobile company offering a variety of on-site services including maintenance, hardware/software installation, break and fix repair solutions for computers and phones along with video surveillance installation.

Working with information technology started out as a hobby for the Erie resident. His passion for fixing broken technology led him to launching a business in March 2021.

“I’ve been doing this for years. I used to work in I.T. for a credit union in Texas,” Higdon said. “After coming here, I’ve always worked with electronics, and I started helping people out in Monroe with setting up computers and my fiancé suggested I make it into a business.”

Available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Saturday, Higdon’s services include virus removal, data transfer, system backup and recovery and computer optimization.

“When your computer is starting to run slow and you’re not in a position to replace it, computer optimization may be necessary to keep it from running slow and increase reliability,” he said.

By adding an SSD, a storage device used in computers, Higdon can often upgrade and improve the performance of an existing computer without the cost of having to replace the system.

The mobile business services both Monroe and Toledo areas and provides remote tech support. With a client’s permission, Higdon can remotely access a device and solve technology issues like printer setup or running software.

Since launching his on-the-go company, Higdon has provided technical and security support for several businesses including Brost Farms, Exeter Fire Department and Tiffany’s Pizza in Brownstown Township.

A list of services are posted on his website. However, phone repair, like screen replacement, has been the most recent sought-after repair service with customers along with security system installs.

“Customers are installing doorbell cameras and cameras around the house. I am a certified Nest pro installer,” he said.

When it comes to protecting your computer system, the computer expert suggests not opening pop-up windows that appear on the screen that contain advertisements or messages indicating your computer has a virus. Computer pop-ups generally appear while surfing the Internet and may contain malicious software developed to steal data and intentionally harm a computer, network, or server.

Higdon recommends installing a security software program for protection.

“A big thing that has been happening is people calling and saying they are from the Microsoft support team, and they try to log into your computer. Don’t do any of that. The only time Microsoft support would contact you is if you contacted them,” he said. “If someone does get access to your computer, just unplug your computer and they won’t have access.”

As for choosing a software program offering security and protection, Higdon suggests Avast. The company offers both free and premium options for protecting computers from viruses and malware.

I.T. On The Go

Owner: Joshua Higdon of Erie

Services: Mobile tech support for residential and business

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Saturday

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MONROEITONTHEGO/

Website: www.itonthego.co

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: I.T. On The Go tech service makes house, business calls