Ask Me Help Desk - My privacy has been compromised.

My privacy has been compromised.

I have a Dell laptop. I know without a doubt that my privacy has been compromised. I know nothing about computers... so please explain as if you were talking to a child... I am not a child and I am well educated... but computers are completely out of my comfort zone. Okay... I have been quoted on numerous occasions by a certain person…using exact phrases that I had used in private emails to other people. I know that somehow this person has hacked into my private computer and my personal email without having my email password. I use Firefox as my server and have set the contols to delete all cookies and files when I sign off. But still... the hacking continues. They are not reading this info from my laptop…but rather from a work computer that has no ties to my system. I do not wish to confront this person, but I do wish to fix the problem. I have already changed the administrator login and password…but this person has access to my computer at times and signs on as a guest. I know that I need anti-spyware and firewall installed but I am not sure how or what to use and I was afraid that this might limit my internet use... and cause other problems when trying to access certain websites. As you can see I am somewhat computer illiterate and I really did not know who else to ask. If you need further information regarding my computer problem…I’ll be glad to expound.

First off, I would run a program called House Call. This is a free virus scan that you can access here:

Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan

If you are saying this person is accessing your computer from a remote location, there is probably something installed on your computer that is allowing him remote access.

Do you use a wireless network when using your laptop?

Anyway, I'm sure ScottGem has some ideas too, so you should have a better answer than I can give, shortly.

Also, unless you've personally disabled the firewall on your computer, XP (assuming that's the OS you are using) has it's own firewall.

Thanks a lot... and yes I only use wireless on my laptop. Not on my laptop at the moment, but I will run House Call as soon as possible. By the way... will this program detect the problem and wipe it out... or will it just tell me to uninstall... sorry... so clueless!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hloriern

Thanks alot...and yes I only use wireless on my laptop. Not on my laptop at the moment, but I will run House Call as soon as possible. By the way...will this program detect the problem and wipe it out...or will it just tell me to uninstall...sorry...so clueless!

It will find the problem, the it will attempt to delete it off your computer, at your request. It's intuitive and I have all the confidence you can use it.

You should make sure to change the access password, from the factory setting, on your wireless router, as this is another way someone can potentially gain access to your files.

I'm not clear here.

You say this person has quoted from private e-mails. You mean he is done this to your face or what?

The private e-mails, were they sent from the work computer? Were they sent using your work e-mail address/service? If not, what service/e-mail client was used?

Firefox is not a "server", it's a WEB browser.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

I'm not clear here.

You say this person has quoted from private e-mails. You mean he is done this to your face or what?

The private e-mails, were they sent from the work computer? Were they sent using your work e-mail address/service? If not, what service/e-mail client was used?

Firefox is not a "server", its a WEB browser.

Web browser... yes of course... I wasn't kidding about not being too computer savvy. Anyway... yes... these quotes were made to my face. I did not send mail from work. Everything that I sent was on my personal AOL e-mail account and was sent from home or various other facilities with WiFi. I would rather not expand on the hacker himself... but focus on fixing the problem and making my personal data more secure. I will tell you that at times, this person does have access to the same wiresless network that I use.
I have never loaded any anti-spyware software... would this be a good idea? Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

One more question. Do you actually log in using the AOL client or do you use AOL WEB mail?

There are a few possibilities here depending on certain circumstances. If the person has access to your same network and you have no security on your network or the PCs there are a number of ways he might be reading your e-mail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

One more question. Do you actually log in using the AOL client or do you use AOL WEB mail?

There are a few possibilities here depending on certain circumstances. If the person has access to your same network and you have no security on your network or the PCs there are a number of ways he might be reading your e-mail.

Okay... I go to AOL.com - Welcome to AOL, then click on mail, then sign in. Not sure about my desktop computer security at home... but I never use it to send mail. Any other questions... feel free to ask. Thanks a bunch!

OK, So you use WEB mail. That means that the person has somehow gotten your password, probably by using a keylogger. You should have password control over your user account and anyt-spyware software.

I have used PC-Cillin anti-spyware software for a few years, and am really happy with it. You can order it here:

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 - Trend Micro USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

OK, So you use WEB mail. That means that the person has somehow gotten your password, probably by using a keylogger. You should have password control over your user account and anyt-spyware software.

I know... I am a little slow regarding this subject... but you're saying that I should change my password and add anti-spyware protection? What is a keylogger? New to this site I hope the extra questions are allowed! Again... Thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSnownw

I have used PC-Cillin anti-spyware software for a few years, and am really happy with it. You can order it here:

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 - Trend Micro USA

Thanks... I'll try it! By the way... I failed to mention that I did download some encryption software... but I can only encrypt if the receiver has it installed on their computer.

A keylogger is a form of spyware that logs all your keystrokes and stores them, maybe even sends them out. So changing your password won't help until you clean the spyware off your system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

A keylogger is a form of spyware that logs all your keystrokes and stores them, maybe even sends them out. So changing your password won't help until you clean the spyware off your system.

Wow... that is pretty scary stuff! I have one last question for you, if I install the PC-cillin anti-spyware... will that clean up my computer so that I can start over with new passwords etc.

Hopefully. PC-cillin is good stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hloriern

I only use wireless on my laptop

Hello hl:

I don't know much, but my ears pricked up when you said this. If he's in your office, he could be picking up your wireless signals.

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by hloriern

I have a Dell laptop. I know without a doubt that my privacy has been compromised. I know nothing about computers...so please explain as if you were talking to a child...I am not a child and I am well educated...but computers are completely out of my comfort zone. Okay...I have been quoted on numerous occasions by a certain person…using exact phrases that I had used in private emails to other people. I know that somehow this person has hacked into my private computer and my personal email without having my email password. I use firefox as my server and have set the contols to delete all cookies and files when I sign off. But still...the hacking continues. They are not reading this info from my laptop…but rather from a work computer that has no ties to my system. I do not wish to confront this person, but I do wish to fix the problem. I have already changed the administrator login and password…but this person has access to my computer at times and signs on as a guest. I know that I need anti-spyware and firewall installed but I am not sure how or what to use and I was afraid that this might limit my internet use...and cause other problems when trying to access certain websites. As you can see I am somewhat computer illiterate and I really did not know who else to ask. If you need further information regarding my computer problem…I’ll be glad to expound.

Go into your parental controls and block GUEST from logging on to your computer. This might help as they can log on as a guest with out you knowing. If this doesn't work then I Would contact where you bought the computer

AOL's Guest feature cannot be used to read personal mail. Nor will contacting the retailer help in this instance.

I understand you don't want to talk about the person in question, but they are the key... Do they have physical access to your computer when you are not around it? Are they a neighbor, roommate, etc? What would be the repercussions of confronting them about this?

If they are not located in your immediate residence, what kind of Internet Service Provider (ISP) do you have? DSL, cable, dial up? I’m not a big AOL guru, but do they offer some kind of encryption feature within their email tool?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Land_Of_The_Lost

I understand you don't want to talk about the person in question, but they are the key... Do they have physical access to your computer when you are not around it? Are they a neighbor, roommate, etc? What would be the repercussions of confronting them about this?

If they are not located in your immediate residence, what kind of Internet Service Provider (ISP) do you have? DSL, cable, dial up? I’m not a big AOL guru, but do they offer some kind of encryption feature within their email tool?

Thanks for your response...
Yes... this person has access to my computer when I am not around. My PC as well as my laptop. I ran housecall and downloaded a free spyware protection program on my laptop and I have no idea if this took care of the problem. One thing that happened is that I am now unable to send photos from my laptop via email... or upload photos to my myspace etc. It says that I have to give a username and password for (natopia 3000) or something like that. But when I put in my computer ID and password it does not work. I definitely want my privacy protected but I did not want to limit my own access. To answer your question... I have satellite internet.

Netopia is a Motorola product. Do you have a motorola broadband modem or router?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Netopia is a Motorola product. do you have a motorola broadband modem or router?

Hello again ScottGem...
As far I know I don't have Motorola anything. But how would I know what modem or router I do have. I have my laptop with me but I cannot access internet from it at the moment.
Thanks again!

How do you connect to the Internet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

How do you connect to the Internet?

I have a wireless router at home (not motorola), and sometimes I connect at other places with WiFi. My wireless adapter is "Linksys"... and I'm pretty sure that my router is too.

But the wireless router connects to something. That is your modem. What is that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

But the wireless router connects to something. that is your modem. What is that?

At the risk of sounding like a total idiot... I'm not sure exactly what you mean. So... I will just say that the router is connected to my home computer and my satellite internet service (Hughesnet). Is that what you are talking about? Or do you mean something on my laptop? Sorry... but I'm technologically challenged!

How is it connected to hughesnet? Is there another little box? There should be a line coming in from the satellite, that goes into something else. It will be a round cable. Then the 'somthing else' will have another cable, which is connected to the router. The 'somthing else' in the middle is what we're talking about. Could get give us the name or model number on it?

What Chris said. The cable running from the satellite is (probably) a coax cable. There has to be a device in between the satellite and router that translates the signals into Ethernet. This device is called a boradband modem and Motorola is one of the largest makes of them. So it's a good chance that it is a Motorla device. If so, Hughesnet should be able to explain what that Netopia stuff is.

When you ran the spyware protection program did it come up with any files that it suggested should be removed or quarantined?

Also, do you keep your ID's and passwords written down anywhere that this person may have found? I would start by changing all my user account (both online and PC) passwords to something new, and complex.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

What Chris said. The cable running from the satellite is (probably) a coax cable. There has to be a device in between the satellite and router that translates the signals into Ethernet. This device is called a boradband modem and Motorola is one of the largest makes of them. So its a good chance that it is a Motorla device. If so, Hughesnet should be able to explain what that Netopia stuff is.

I'm not at home... but I will check as soon as possible. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Land_Of_The_Lost

When you ran the spyware protection program did it come up with any files that it suggested should be removed or quarantined?

Also, do you keep your ID's and passwords written down anywhere that this person may have found? I would start by changing all my user account (both online and PC) passwords to something new, and complex.

House Call said there were 8 that were suspicious... but the spyware that I installed said there were 75 but it didn't tell me how to remove them. So the spyware is installed but I guess the files are still on my computer.

For spyware, I would get Spybot Search and Destroy. Whatever house call didn't get, it will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsoksirhc

For spyware, I would get Spybot Search and Destroy. Whatever house call didn't get, it will.

Thanks so much! I will install ASAP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsoksirhc

For spyware, I would get Spybot Search and Destroy. Whatever house call didn't get, it will.

Okay... this is my question... I downloaded Spybot but it made me choose one of about eight different (I think they were called mirrors)... in order to download. I just randomly picked one called "spywarebot" and ran it. It said that it was free until it ran and then within about one minute it detected 365 questionable malware files on my laptop and asked me to pay $39 in order to sweep and destroy. I would not mind paying this... I just want to be sure that it is legitimate. The reason that I am skeptical is because when I ran House Call and another free anti-spyware program it took about 45 minutes to search my computer... so... is spywarebot actually that much faster... and is it legit? Please respond... I do not want to put in my credit card number unless I know that this is a legitimate site and it will fix my problem!
Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hloriern

Okay...this is my question...I downloaded Spybot but it made me choose one of about eight different (I think they were called mirrors)...in order to download. I just randomly picked one called "spywarebot" and ran it. It said that it was free until it ran and then within about one minute it detected 365 questionable malware files on my laptop and asked me to pay $39 in order to sweep and destroy. I would not mind paying this...I just want to be sure that it is legitimate. The reason that I am skeptical is because when I ran House Call and another free anti-spyware program it took about 45 minutes to search my computer...so...is spywarebot actually that much faster...and is it legit? Please respond...I do not want to put in my credit card number unless I know that this is a legitimate site and it will fix my problem!
Thanks again!

I think you got a different program. Spybot Search and Destroy is free, you don't have to pay to remove anything. I'd be skeptical of anything that scans for only about a minute, and then says it's complete. It can't have scanned your whole system that fast.

http://www.spybotupdates.com/files/spybotsd15.exe

That's a direct link to the download. It's called Spybot Search & Destroy (or Spybot S&D), not Spywarebot. If you've got spywarebot, you got the wrong one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsoksirhc

I think you got a different program. Spybot Search and Destroy is free, you don't have to pay to remove anything. I'd be skeptical of anything that scans for onyl about a minute, and then says it's complete. It can't have scanned your whole system that fast.

http://www.spybotupdates.com/files/spybotsd15.exe

Thats a direct link to the download. It's called Spybot Search & Destroy (or Spybot S&D), not Spywarebot. If you've got spywarebot, you got the wrong one.

Ok... thanks. I googled Spybot S&D and that is how I ended up there. It started at a home site that was free but asked for donations... then took me to a place where I had to choose one of these so called "mirrors". I will try the above address this afternoon.
Thanks for your help!