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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Software to keep hackers out

X-Terry_T
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Mar 21, 2002, 11:32 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1236 views)
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Software to keep hackers out	Can't Post

Greetings Everyone,
This may be off topic for video but I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday.
I think someone was inside my computer.
I was in the other room and I head a noise, came over to my computer, there was an error message up, I didn't understand what it could mean since I wasn't even touching the keyboard, when I hit the error message "ok" button, suddenly a "Word" document popped up with the words "are you a girl? tomorrow 3pm online".
I totally could not understand this. So just standing there trying to understand what was happening. My cursor started moving around all by itself, on the word document.
I freaked and shut off the computer immediately.
Was someone "inside" my computer? Can they access all my files now? Scary.
I immediately started searching the internet (after I came back online) for hacker proof software. I found one called Zone Alarm, but after installing it, my computer moves so slowly and acts weird, i.e. I can't access my fav websites, I can't receive or send .msn.com e'mails, etc.
I un-installed it. Now what? Any advice from you who are more intelligent than I in this situation is greatly appreciated.
I feel my computer is so vulnerable now. Like I've been violated.
Thanks to everyone,
Terry T.
Custom Video by Terry

X-Judy_Handley
Imported Account

Mar 21, 2002, 12:06 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1236 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out	Can't Post

Very scary. I use Blackice. When I'm out on the internet I turn it off and go where ever I want. When I'm done surfing I turn it back on and block everything out. There is also a freeware called Tiny that will do this I think.
Hackers are getting better and there are more of them. I always picture lonely teenagers who can't get dates and spend all their time at the keyboard. You did exactly what I would have done and that's shut down.
Judy
: Greetings Everyone,
: This may be off topic for video but I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday.
: I think someone was inside my computer.
: I was in the other room and I head a noise, came over to my computer, there was an error message up, I didn't understand what it could mean since I wasn't even touching the keyboard, when I hit the error message "ok" button, suddenly a "Word" document popped up with the words "are you a girl? tomorrow 3pm online".
: I totally could not understand this. So just standing there trying to understand what was happening. My cursor started moving around all by itself, on the word document.
: I freaked and shut off the computer immediately.
: Was someone "inside" my computer? Can they access all my files now? Scary.
: I immediately started searching the internet (after I came back online) for hacker proof software. I found one called Zone Alarm, but after installing it, my computer moves so slowly and acts weird, i.e. I can't access my fav websites, I can't receive or send .msn.com e'mails, etc.
: I un-installed it. Now what? Any advice from you who are more intelligent than I in this situation is greatly appreciated.
: I feel my computer is so vulnerable now. Like I've been violated.
: Thanks to everyone,
: Terry T.
: Custom Video by Terry

X-Terry_T
Imported Account

Mar 21, 2002, 12:43 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you Judy.
So you found too that if you would surf with the program running that it slowed you down?

Terry T.
Custom Video by Terry

: Very scary. I use Blackice. When I'm out on the internet I turn it off and go where ever I want. When I'm done surfing I turn it back on and block everything out. There is also a freeware called Tiny that will do this I think.
: Hackers are getting better and there are more of them. I always picture lonely teenagers who can't get dates and spend all their time at the keyboard. You did exactly what I would have done and that's shut down.
: Judy
: : Greetings Everyone,
: : This may be off topic for video but I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday.
: : I think someone was inside my computer.
: : I was in the other room and I head a noise, came over to my computer, there was an error message up, I didn't understand what it could mean since I wasn't even touching the keyboard, when I hit the error message "ok" button, suddenly a "Word" document popped up with the words "are you a girl? tomorrow 3pm online".
: : I totally could not understand this. So just standing there trying to understand what was happening. My cursor started moving around all by itself, on the word document.
: : I freaked and shut off the computer immediately.
: : Was someone "inside" my computer? Can they access all my files now? Scary.
: : I immediately started searching the internet (after I came back online) for hacker proof software. I found one called Zone Alarm, but after installing it, my computer moves so slowly and acts weird, i.e. I can't access my fav websites, I can't receive or send .msn.com e'mails, etc.
: : I un-installed it. Now what? Any advice from you who are more intelligent than I in this situation is greatly appreciated.
: : I feel my computer is so vulnerable now. Like I've been violated.
: : Thanks to everyone,
: : Terry T.
: : Custom Video by Terry

X-Arndt
Imported Account

Mar 21, 2002, 1:12 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1236 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

hi, terry.
i think, you are a victim of a hacker (probably a scriptkiddy), who uses a so called "trojan horse". that a programs, wo SEEM to do something useful for you (e.g. a new surf-utility), but in reality trojans only have one goal: they spy out your passwords, your internet-accounts (btw. do you make online-banking? look at your bank-account!) and send them to the hacker. the trojan also installs a backdoor that the hacker can log on to your pc when he/she wants.
my advise:
download the newest antivirus-program, DISCONNECT IMMEDIATELY from the internet (plug out the cable) and reboot with your windows-startdisk (diskette).
then scan your pc on viruses. all of the known trojans are covered by new antivirus-programs, so you should receive some success messages.
if your pc is clean, you can reboot normally without the windows-startdisk. you are now ready to work again.
BUT, if you wish to keep in security, think about a firewall on a separate computer! this computer is running the only the internet-software which is needed to connect and also the firewall-software. that doesn�t slow down your work-pc.
best wishes,
Arndt.
p.s.: excuse my english, i am not an native british/american.

X-Jimmy
Imported Account

Mar 21, 2002, 1:24 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Greetings Everyone,
: This may be off topic for video but I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday.
: I think someone was inside my computer.
: I was in the other room and I head a noise, came over to my computer, there was an error message up, I didn't understand what it could mean since I wasn't even touching the keyboard, when I hit the error message "ok" button, suddenly a "Word" document popped up with the words "are you a girl? tomorrow 3pm online".
: I totally could not understand this. So just standing there trying to understand what was happening. My cursor started moving around all by itself, on the word document.
: I freaked and shut off the computer immediately.
: Was someone "inside" my computer? Can they access all my files now? Scary.
: I immediately started searching the internet (after I came back online) for hacker proof software. I found one called Zone Alarm, but after installing it, my computer moves so slowly and acts weird, i.e. I can't access my fav websites, I can't receive or send .msn.com e'mails, etc.
: I un-installed it. Now what? Any advice from you who are more intelligent than I in this situation is greatly appreciated.
: I feel my computer is so vulnerable now. Like I've been violated.
: Thanks to everyone,
: Terry T.
: Custom Video by Terry
I'm a network administrator here in New Orleans. Are you running Windows XP? If so make sure Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop is turned off. you can get to it by right clicking on my computer then properties then the "remote" tab
also i use the following program myself to work on computer here at work. This is what sounds like to me that is running on your computer. depending on what version you are running here is how to find out if it's runing on your computer are not. You are looking for a program called "winVNC" or "tridiavnc" if you press ctrl alt delete you should be able to go to task manager to see what programs are running on your computer at that time. if you see winvnc.exe running highlight it and hit "end task" if you need some help i'll walk you through it. i'll e-mail you my number.

X-Terry_T
Imported Account

Mar 21, 2002, 3:46 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello Jimmy and thanks for responding.
I have windows 2000. So when I right click on My Computer>Properties, I don't see "remote assisstance".
I also went to Task Manager and don't see the "winVNC" or "tridiavnc" in applications nor processes.
I also went to a website someone suggested http://housecall.antivirus.com and it scanned my computer and found no viruses.
If you have any other suggestions Jimmy, I'd appreciate your number that you so generously offered.
customvideo@aol.com
Terry T.

: I'm a network administrator here in New Orleans. Are you running Windows XP? If so make sure Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop is turned off. you can get to it by right clicking on my computer then properties then the "remote" tab
: also i use the following program myself to work on computer here at work. This is what sounds like to me that is running on your computer. depending on what version you are running here is how to find out if it's runing on your computer are not. You are looking for a program called "winVNC" or "tridiavnc" if you press ctrl alt delete you should be able to go to task manager to see what programs are running on your computer at that time. if you see winvnc.exe running highlight it and hit "end task" if you need some help i'll walk you through it. i'll e-mail you my number.

X-Chris
Imported Account

Mar 22, 2002, 11:28 PM

Post #7 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

Terry,
Invest in a Router with a hardware firewall, I have a NetGear product and it splits my DSL into 4 outs 1 for each of my computers (They make Routers for cable and DSL modems). Splitting for multiple computers is very useful plus it creates a Hardware Firewall, much better than a software firewall. I have fortunately never had any problems. I think these boxes cost around $100, i bought mine at for significantly more than that a few years ago at CompUSA, i think Circuit City and Best Buy also carry them.
Best of luck,
Chris
: Greetings Everyone,
: This may be off topic for video but I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday.
: I think someone was inside my computer.
: I was in the other room and I head a noise, came over to my computer, there was an error message up, I didn't understand what it could mean since I wasn't even touching the keyboard, when I hit the error message "ok" button, suddenly a "Word" document popped up with the words "are you a girl? tomorrow 3pm online".
: I totally could not understand this. So just standing there trying to understand what was happening. My cursor started moving around all by itself, on the word document.
: I freaked and shut off the computer immediately.
: Was someone "inside" my computer? Can they access all my files now? Scary.
: I immediately started searching the internet (after I came back online) for hacker proof software. I found one called Zone Alarm, but after installing it, my computer moves so slowly and acts weird, i.e. I can't access my fav websites, I can't receive or send .msn.com e'mails, etc.
: I un-installed it. Now what? Any advice from you who are more intelligent than I in this situation is greatly appreciated.
: I feel my computer is so vulnerable now. Like I've been violated.
: Thanks to everyone,
: Terry T.
: Custom Video by Terry

X-Arndt
Imported Account

Mar 23, 2002, 5:47 AM

Post #8 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Invest in a Router with a hardware firewall
that�s exactly, what i said. but i get no response :-(

X-Chris
Imported Account

Mar 23, 2002, 10:05 AM

Post #9 of 9 (1235 views)
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Re: Software to keep hackers out [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sorry Arndt,
I read your response as buy another computer and set up a hardware firewall on it. It is much cheaper to buy the Router with the hardware firewall. It did not seem clear. Anywho, I really believe this is the best route/investment to take no matter how you look at it. Software firewalls are much easier to by pass. The Router sets up diffrent IP addresses for each computer on the router.
I posted the link to netgears page of routers at the bottom of this page. I have the RT314, I think the FR314 looks to me to be the replacement.
Chris
: : Invest in a Router with a hardware firewall
: that�s exactly, what i said. but i get no response :-(