![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Security Information |
|
![]() |
Hacked: Who Else Is Using Your Computer?
A friend called me one day and asked if I would stop by to look at his computer. He said it was running abnormally slow and he had found something on his hard-drive he could not explain. I could almost guess what it was he found. Have I been hacked? You see, his computer had been hacked. Actually, in his case, his computer had been tagged. Similar to the image you see here. Tag, You're It! FTP Tagging - The most common purpose for someone to compromise your FTP server is for the storage and distribution of illegally obtained software and files. This could include cracked software, stolen movies, audio files, and pornography. Removing this type of contraband from your computer can be difficult, particularly if you are using a Microsoft Windows platform. Hackers use sophisticated scripts to create a maze of directory structures to house their wares on your computer. They may use a combination of names with spaces in them, and in some cases use extended characters (characters outside the normal alpha-numeric range). Deleting these directories through normal means may be difficult, if not impossible, for the average user. Many people wind up wiping their system and re-installing it, and that is if they're lucky enough to find out their system has been compromised. The above is a perfect example of why the statement, "I'm not worried about being hacked. What do I have that a hacker would want?" is not a good position to take. The fact is, you do have something they want, your computers resources. Why should a hacker store tons of illegally obtained files on their systems when they can use yours. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly The Good The Bad There are many exploits, backdoors, and Trojans that effect, or are contained in, the myriad of IRC clients on the Internet. Making sure you choose one that's relatively safe to use is not an easy task. As an example, take a look at this list of IRC safety and security info at irc.org. The Ugly Just Open The Door And Let Them InPeer-to-Peer File Sharing If you have anti-virus software installed (and up-to-date), you've undoubtedly received messages regarding viruses when downloading files from peer-to-peer services. These are not the only things you could be downloading. Many hackers imbed root-kits in files and distribute them using peer-to-peer file sharing. Root kits contain many types of tools used by hackers to gain control over computers. If the installation of the kit on your computer goes undetected and is successful, it's only a matter of time before your computer is completely compromised. I can't tell you how many times I've found company employees (and technical personnel) using peer-to-peer file sharing services. Any organization that permits this is putting itself at risk. And, the risk is much greater as compared to a single home computer because of the number of potential internal targets. Conclusion Don't make the assumption that you are not a target just because you don't think you have anything of interest on your computer. If our computer becomes unstable or dramatically decreases in performance, don't assume it's just a quirk or that it's time to upgrade. Make sure you have a software or hardware firewall in place to protect you from the Internet. Your firewall should be configured not to allow anonymous inbound access from the Internet. This is the default configuration for most firewalls, but you should make sure the one you are using is properly configured. Make sure you have adequate virus and spyware protection, and your pattern signatures are up-to-date. Many anti-virus applications work on a subscription basis. It's not uncommon to find out your subscription expired. If it is expired, your software may not protect you from new and emerging threats. And, do what ever you can to stay away from any type of Internet peer-to-peer file sharing service. No matter how safe the developer claims it is. About The Author If you would like to knowmore about computer security please visit us at our website. If someone you know has sent youthis article, please take a moment to visit our site andregister for the free newsletter at Newsletter Subscribe. Original URL
MORE RESOURCES: Security alert: It’s time to update your iPhone — again NewsNation Now Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the Addressing the Urgent Security Situation in Haiti Meeting - United States Department ... Department of State Mozambique-U.S. seek to deepen defence, security ties Africanews English OSCE in crisis as Russian veto threatens security body Financial Times TSA showcases security checkpoint technologies in use at Antonio ... Transportation Security Administration Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final National Security ... US Department of Commerce United States Hosts UNGA Side Event: Addressing the Urgent ... Department of State Austin Lauds Mozambique's Leadership on Regional Security > U.S Department of Defense Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense Five questions with security expert Greg Parker Johnson Controls Operation Lone Star Bolsters Border Security To Stem Historic Influx Office of the Texas Governor Software supply chain security Grant Thornton Increased online security coming soon to El Camino El Camino College Union TSA canines enhancing security at John F. Kennedy International ... Transportation Security Administration Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Administration Takes New Actions to ... Homeland Security Secretary Antony J. Blinken At United Nations Security Council ... Department of State DHS Homeland Security Investigations Announces Strategy to ... Homeland Security At Disagree Better Event, National Security Experts Warn of the ... - National Governors Association At Disagree Better Event, National Security Experts Warn of the ... National Governors Association Statement by President Charles Michel at the UN Security Council ... Présidence française du Conseil de l'Union européenne 2022 CU Boulder earns $5 million award for 5G cellular security research CU Boulder's College of Engineering & Applied Science Job Security Isn't Enough to Keep Many Accountants From Quitting The Wall Street Journal Diving Deep Into Key Input on the Access Control Market Security Sales & Integration Building the Quad: A Diamond of National Security United States Army Why Aviation Security Is A Deadly Serious Matter? Indiatimes.com GEN Nakasone Offers Insight into Future of Cybersecurity and SIGINT National Security Agency Security guards are first line of defense at Fort Wainwright United States Army At the edge of the UN security perimeter, those with causes (and ... Chattanooga Times Free Press 30th Security Forces Squadron Expeditionary Training ... Vandenberg Space Force Base Indiana University Health reports data security incident pertaining to one of its vendors FOX 59 Indianapolis Unlocking IoT Endpoint Security in 2023: What You Need to Know Security Boulevard Secretary Mayorkas Delivers Remarks at Ukrainian Cultural Artifacts ... Homeland Security ROSEN, TRUSTED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages NAPCO ... GlobeNewswire Airport Security Officer Caught Stealing From Passenger, Stuffs ... View from the Wing Fleeing Militants Pose Challenge to Somalia’s Security Voice of America - VOA News LastPass: 'Horse Gone Barn Bolted' is Strong Password – Krebs on ... Krebs on Security Remarks by Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security ... U.S. Embassy Moscow Robert Habeck on Germany's new approach to 'economic security ... Atlantic Council Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Joins Secretary Blinken for ... United States Mission to the United Nations Why We're Pulling Our Recommendation of Wyze Security Cameras The New York Times Chicago Mayor Signs $29 Million Deal With Private Security Firm To Create Tent Camps For Migrants Forbes D.C. Dispatch: Lawmakers call for Russian reparations, border ... Iowa Capital Dispatch Opinion | Economic cooperation boosts worldwide prosperity ... The Capital Times ylera's Vision: Pioneering IoT Security and Intelligence for Healthcare Healthcare Digital |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Protect Yourself from Viruses, Spyware, Adware, and Other Nuisances Spyware/adware is a new major concern for PC users everywhere. Infecting your computer silently (usually installed with programs that seem harmless), spyware and adware can collect personal information about you, as well as cause pop up ads to come up all of the time, changing your browsers home page, sometimes even completely disabling your computer's usability. How to Manage Your Username and Password The Easy and Secure Way Have been an Internet user for more than 9 years, I have 100's of logins and passwords to keep. I'm paranoid. Avoiding Scams: If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is A week or so ago, I received an inquiry from a man in Indonesia about buying multiple copies of certain items on my website. I immediately suspected fraud, so I explained that I only had one piece of each. Just Whos Computer is this Anyway? Well, this is an article I never thought I would have to write. Computer ownership was just not something I thought people would get confused over but, after overhearing a number of conversations last week from my co-workers, I realized that quite a few people just don't know how cut and dry this topic is. Reducing Fraudulent Transations - 5 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself The money being spent online is steadily growing. With billions of dollars being spent each year online, the opportunity to make money on the internet has never been bigger. The Move to a New Anti-Virus Model This is the second in a series of articles highlighting reasons why we need a new model for anti-virus and security solutions.Reason #1: the Basic ModelAnti-virus software vendors still rely on yesterday's methods for solving today's problems: they wait for the next virus to wreak havoc and then produce a solution. Temporary Internet Files - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly A little bit of time invested into learning about internet security can go a long way in preventing mishaps on your computer. Temporary internet files are not something we should be afraid of, but we should certainly be careful in how much we trust them and how we deal with them. Is Adware - Spyware Putting Your Privacy at Risk Do you sometimes notice your computer running slower. Is your computer acting strange almost like its possessed? Well, it just may be plagued with Spyware. Computer-Virus Writers: A Few Bats In The Belfry? "Male. Obsessed with computers. Crack The Code - Thats A Direct Challenge I Challenge You To Crack The Code-------------------------------------I had quite an interesting experience recently. I was hired by a company to perform a vulnerability assessment and penetration test on their network. How to Get Rid of New Sobig.F Virus? As you know, this time the virus under the name Sobig.F has wreaked quite havoc! No doubt, many of us have suffered from this recent virus outbreak. Top 10 tips for Safe Internet Shopping Over £5 billion pounds was spent on online shopping in 2004. The Internet was the fastest growing retail sector last year, attracting one in four shoppers. Clown Internet Scam - An Internet Scam is Currently Targeting Clowns and Other Entertainers I am the victim of an internet scam. It is very hard to write that sentence, but it's necessary in order to warn my fellow clowns, magicians and other entertainers, and to prevent them from being taken for $2,800. Identity Theft -- 10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Good Name! Identity Theft is one of the most serious problems facing Internet users. Identity Theft is exactly as the name states -- someone steals your Identity and commits fraud in your name. Backup and Save your business! There you are busily typing away on your PC or yourLaptop, and all of a sudden the strangest thing happens.The screen goes black, extinquished like a candle in thewind. Preventing Online Identity Theft Identity theft is one of the most common criminal acts in society today. Criminals will use your personal information such as banking accounts and passwords, to pretend that they are you. Phishing - A High Tech Identity Theft With A Low Tech Solution Have you ever got an email asking you to confirm your account information from a bank or a company that you have never done business with? The email looks official and it even has a link that appears to take you to the company's website. The email you have received is actually from an identity thief. I Spy...Something Terribly Wrong (In Your Computer) This really chapped my lips.. 8 Surefire Ways to Spot an EBAY Scam E-Mail and Protect Yourself from Identity Theft Ebay is a great site and is used by many to buy and sell new and used Items. It truly is the worlds Largest Garage Sale Unfortunately when an online site becomes as big and popular as E-Bay the scam artists seem to just naturally follow. Web Browsing - Collected Information You may not realize it, but as you are surfing the web all sorts of details are being left behind about your computer and where you have been. Most of this information is used harmlessly in website statistics, but it could also be used to profile you, or identify you as a vulnerable target for an exploit. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 |