Home and small office computer security

Remove malware and set up protection for households and tiny offices, at their place or by remote session.

A security specialist analysing code and threat data on multiple computer screens.

Startup cost£200 to £1.5k

Monthly revenue£400 to £3k

Time needed6+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

£200-1.5k
Side hustle
Out and about

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

91,318 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 62090 “Other information technology service activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

Practical help for people whose computers or phones are infected, hacked or poorly protected. You clean up malware, set up antivirus, password managers, backups and two-factor authentication, and explain how to stay safe.

Your first three steps

Check local and online prices for similar jobs, then set a fixed price for a clean-up and a protection setup
Take out professional indemnity and public liability insurance and write a simple job terms sheet
Offer a free security check to friends, family and local community groups, and ask for written reviews

Who pays

Older people, families, sole traders and very small offices with no IT department.

How it makes money

Fixed price per job (such as a clean-up and protection setup) or an hourly rate, plus an optional low monthly fee for check-ups and support.

Skills that help

Good technical knowledge of Windows, Mac and phones
Patient, clear explanations for non-technical people
Careful and trustworthy with personal data

Watch out for

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what your policy covers if data is lost
Data protection: if you handle other people's personal data, check your UK GDPR duties and whether you need to register with the ICO
Get written permission before accessing devices and accounts, and never keep customer passwords
Back up a customer's files before starting work, and be clear about what you can't guarantee

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: home and small office computer security

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a computer security business?

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on the tools, software and insurance you choose. Treat these as estimates and check what your insurance policy covers before taking on customers.

How much can I earn helping people with computer security?

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £3,000, depending on how many customers you take on and how many hours you work. These are estimates, not guarantees.

What rules should I check before starting?

Check you have professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and what your policy covers if data is lost. If you handle personal data, check your UK GDPR duties and whether you need to register with the ICO. Get written permission before accessing devices.