Possibility of my computer has been hacked

[transportphoto]

Hi all, I am posting from a mobile device as I have had to disconnect my internet due to potential hacking of my computer. I haven't worked out how to change my password on my mobile so it will have to stay and I apologise in advance in the possibility of spam messages coming from my account.

The reason I believe I have been hacked is that 2 over PC's have gone down and we have recieved a phone call from the subcontinent saying that computer checking is taken place in my area of which was given as my specific address.

Of cause this could amount to nothing and nothing happens, but I am saying this as a prior warning.

Thanks,
TP

 

[starrymarkb]

Those calls are a nusicence - mostly they are scams, the telephone version of phishing.

run your pc offline and back up everything you want to keep - format the hard disk and do a clean install - preferably from a kosher windows install DVD, run an antivirus - avg, avast or MS security essentials are all free.

 

[Dai.]

Computer checking? Isn't that illegal? Privacy and what not? Either way it doesn't sound like a hacking, it sounds more than anything like a virus, as above AVG, Avast or Microsoft have free anti virus, do a scan.

 

[transportphoto]

As soon as he said the word 'computer checking in your area' our Internet cable was pulled and that it has just been reinstated! Fingers X'd!

We were considering contacting the police (via non emergency number) but decided against it - should we rethink?

 

[ainsworth74]

You don't need to ring any emergency numbers, this 'we're checking computers' or 'our monitoring indicates you have errors' is a well known scam. I doubt you've been hacked. The above advice was good.

 

[bradders1983]

Tin foil hat, anyone?

 

[deltic1989]

sounds like a scam to me. The above is good advice.

 

[Geezertronic]

A quick Google search brought up these links:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=computer+checking+phone+call+scam&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

 

[bb21]

If you're really concerned about the state of your computer and want to check it thoroughly, I would recommend asking for help on http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ where there are some awesome experts who will take you through every single step of checking for viruses and else. They will always end up with some recommendations for the future for you and deleting any tools that you may have installed during the clean-up process to return your computer to its original healthy state.

 

[NSEFAN]

I had a similar call to the ones mentioned above. Apparently, "There's something very wrong with my computer". The cheeky buggers got me to go into regedit and look at some "errors" which "can only be fixed with their special software." It was so obviously a scam that I felt good for taking a good 45 minutes of their time to discuss the "problem", and how they couldn't possibly know without illegally breaking into my computer. Eventually they passed me onto a manager, who then eventually admitted they were just trying to flog some software!

In terms of the OP's computer being hacked, perhaps it's some malicious website that got details from your browser cookies? It could also be some software on the PCs which did the same thing. As mentioned, a good virus scan would help, but also deleting all browsing history and cache on a regular basis. I use a program called CCleaner which seems to do a good job of killing old temporary files.

 

[Bill EWS]

I had a similar call and the cheeky bugger wanted to download a copy of CCleaner onto my computer to resolve the 'supposed' problem. I've had CCleaner on my computer for a few years now. I haven't used it for some time as I use the built-in AOL Check-Up programme to clean my registry every month or so.

Whatever registry cleaner you use, make sure you keep a list of the usernames and passwords that you use as it tends to delete most of those during a clean up. I agree with SEFAN. It pays to clear your registry regularly.

 

[transportphoto]

Thanks - will consider which option suits me best!

 

[Blue Pool Halt]

The link below talks about the remote assistance cold caller scam.

http://sazconsulting.blogspot.com/2009/12/remote-assistance-thriller-dial-s-for.html

My brother had someone trying to get him to turn the PC on and change things - he was not the computer user in the house, it was the wifes PC, so the caller got irate before hanging up.

 

[chris89]

As others have said its just a scam, and they do it by getting you to check for not critical errors in regedit etc.

Just make sure remote assitiance is turned on and your firewall is correctly set up. Your Modem/ Router should have one built in as standard.

chris

 

[Broken Viking]

Just make sure remote assitiance is turned on...

Just to highlight a possible (And potentially misinforming) typo in Chris's post, I believe that turning Remote Assistance (And Remote Desktop, if ye don't use it) OFF is the safest option. Turning either ON would open holes in the Windows Firewall (And possibly any connected UPnP compliant network devices) allowing your computer to receive and service connections from the Internet.

Unless ye actually need to service connections from "outside" of thy network (For online games, P2P programs, VoIP etc) it's always best to disable and block the ports for any services that ye aren't using.

 

[Geezertronic]

Just to highlight a possible (And potentially misinforming) typo in Chris's post, I believe that turning Remote Assistance (And Remote Desktop, if ye don't use it) OFF is the safest option. Turning either ON would open holes in the Windows Firewall (And possibly any connected UPnP compliant network devices) allowing your computer to receive and service connections from the Internet.

Unless ye actually need to service connections from "outside" of thy network (For online games, P2P programs, VoIP etc) it's always best to disable and block the ports for any services that ye aren't using.

I agree, if you don't need it on don't turn it on. Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance uses port 3389. If you are directly connected to the Internet (directly plugged into your Internet router) you always have to be more careful than if you are connecting via a Wireless or wired router which then plugs into your Internet router as the latter will give you an extra layer of protection (which shouldn't lead to being complacent) due to your device being allocated a 192.168.x.x IP address which means your device cannot be accessed from the internet unless you have specific port forwarding setup on your router (or unless you click a dodgy link which makes your device communicate out towards the internet).

I sometimes think that people are encouraged to go overboard with their computer protection and install/buy software they don't really need. I have the latter setup above at home and I only run Microsoft Security Essentials on my Vista and XP machines and have not had any issues (even in the days when I used to run AVG only)

 

[chris89]

Sorry about that typo, did orginally put off then got distracted and put On. Most likely due to getting irratable/ annoyed with scan.

 

[43021HST]

I had a similar call to the ones mentioned above. Apparently, "There's something very wrong with my computer". The cheeky buggers got me to go into regedit and look at some "errors" which "can only be fixed with their special software." It was so obviously a scam that I felt good for taking a good 45 minutes of their time to discuss the "problem", and how they couldn't possibly know without illegally breaking into my computer. Eventually they passed me onto a manager, who then eventually admitted they were just trying to flog some software!

In terms of the OP's computer being hacked, perhaps it's some malicious website that got details from your browser cookies? It could also be some software on the PCs which did the same thing. As mentioned, a good virus scan would help, but also deleting all browsing history and cache on a regular basis. I use a program called CCleaner which seems to do a good job of killing old temporary files.

Now you're on there database and they know you will speak to them, so that was a wise idea.

 

[NSEFAN]

Now you're on there database and they know you will speak to them, so that was a wise idea.

Actually I haven't heard from them since. I find it fun to try and have long conversations with these people, the language barrier often makes things fun! If I'm busy with something else I just hang up.

 

[Greenback]

I had a call about 'computer problems' last year. It was the same time as Iw as having problems with my email provider.

As usual, I was suspicious of any unrequested telephone contact and asked who they were, where they were calling from and how they knew there was a problem. No answers were forthcoming, so I kept asking until they got fed up and hung up!

When the same thing happened the enxt day, I became a bit more direct with my questions, and they got quite upset! I haven't heard from anyone since!

 

[Statto]

First lore of Computers, ISPs or your PC manufacturer will NEVER call you, about problems with your PC or ISP, it's up to you to call your ISP, or manufacturer if you have any problems. Any calls out of the blue, will be scammers trying to to get you to install software that most likely will include Spyware or Malware.

If someone does call you about a problem with you PC or ISP, one trick could be tpo say the call is being recorded, as most scammers will put the phone down, but NEVER install any software the caller recommends.

 

[90019]

If I'm busy with something else I just hang up.

No no, tell them you just need to finish something and will be with them in a couple of minutes, then put the phone down somewhere and leave it for a while, they'll eventually hang up

Or, my personal favorite, putting them on hold I had a few songs on my old laptop specifically for doing that

 

[cheekyfox]

My father in law had a similar phone call, they stated that they had detected a virus on his PC. He kept them on the line for a while until they realised that it was not connected to the internet.


How they detected the virus is beyond me..

 

[table38]

No no, tell them you just need to finish something and will be with them in a couple of minutes, then put the phone down somewhere and leave it for a while, they'll eventually hang up

Or, my personal favorite, putting them on hold I had a few songs on my old laptop specifically for doing that

If you have the time and can be bothered, say "Certainly. Now I'll just need to take you through security" and ask them for their name, date of birth and mother's maiden name.

If they say no, or ask why, point out that they called you and as you have no idea who you are speaking to, you'll need to ask some security questions before you can proceed.

The funniest one is off t'internet where the guy pretended to be a policeman investigating a homicide, and insisted on all of the callers details as it was suspicious that they happened to call just after a murder...

 

[transportphoto]

Sorry for the thread bump!

I have just had another phone call - this time from a company supposedly based in London! (Very Scratchy line for that tho!)

"We are not working for your internet provider we are just calling to check that your computer is OK"
"We have received many complaints from No-Nor-Norwich that there is many infections on computers"
"We are phoning to check that your computer is OK and we need you to help me do that - can you follow these step by step guides?

At that point I replied - "Surly I can do this by my self and do not need your help?"

They replied - "No you need our help don't you madam?!?!"

I said no and they hang up...

-------

I am a male!

If they weren't to hang up - I would have followed on by letting them go through the instructions and just pretend to do it*! After making sure that I knew what this imaginary virus is!!

*for the laugh!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Broken Viking]

At that point I replied - "Surely I can do this by my self and do not need your help?"
They replied - "No you need our help..."

That kind of assumption is just dispicable...Trying to give people the false impression that they need the help of this "company" to get rid of whatever may be on their PC!

After all, they don't know who they're calling...And I'd be extremely surprised if most hobbyists like myself didn't have more experience in fixing PCs than the bunch of fools who were on the other end of thy 'phone line!

 

[Dai.]

Sorry for the thread bump!

I have just had another phone call - this time from a company supposedly based in London! (Very Scratchy line for that tho!)


At that point I replied - "Surly I can do this by my self and do not need your help?"

They replied - "No you need our help don't you madam?!?!"

I said no and they hang up...

-------

I am a male!

If they weren't to hang up - I would have followed on by letting them go through the instructions and just pretend to do it*! After making sure that I knew what this imaginary virus is!!

*for the laugh!

Thanks for your help!

HAH!

How funny.

Anyway, it's common knowledge that your ISP will never ring ABOUT your computer. If your computer is running viruses, it's your problem. They will never give you step by step guides unless you call them and ask for them.

 

[Geezertronic]

That kind of assumption is just dispicable...Trying to give people the false impression that they need the help of this "company" to get rid of whatever may be on their PC!

After all, they don't know who they're calling...And I'd be extremely surprised if most hobbyists like myself didn't have more experience in fixing PCs than the bunch of fools who were on the other end of thy 'phone line!

Most legitimate call centres only have monkeys at the end of the phone that read from a script anyway so you're probably right...

 

[DaveNewcastle]

First lore of Computers, ISPs or your PC manufacturer will NEVER call you, about problems with your PC or ISP, . . . . Any calls out of the blue, will be scammers trying to to get you to install software that most likely will include Spyware or Malware.

Anyway, it's common knowledge that your ISP will never ring ABOUT your computer.

Not so.
I have had completely legitimate calls from service providers, including notification of changes to their services (requiring DNS changes), migration to more secure protocols (requiring port changes and server name changes), and of course the usual accounts and marketing calls. In fact I have a good telephone relationship with some IT staff whose services I use.

But you're quite correct, any cold caller wanting to discuss anything other than the service that they provide can be, and should be, ignored.

 

[Geezertronic]

I hate cold calling full stop especially when it is Barclays cold calling me. They cold call me then expect me to "pass" their security checks by asking questions relating to my account. I usually tell them politely to **** off