how do you know if somebody has hacked your computer?

Question

Serious questions so i need serious answers!

Answer 1

You can't always tell. Do you mean from the internet, or from sitting at the desk?
If its from the internet you need a firewall and an anti spyware, and Winpatrol.
And you ahould also unplug the connection when you're not using the internet.
But if its from physical access to your pc you need to password protect all the accounts; and you also need to set a password to boot in Safe Mode. Don't ever forget this password or you'll be unable to access Safe Mode yourself!
There also used to be a lock that you put into the floppy drive and it covers the on off switch, but I haven't seen it on sale for a while.

http://www.wikihow.com/Password-Protect-Safe-Mode-in-Windows-Xp

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Both these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo security suite.

Shields Up security site;
https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works
http://www.grc.com/optout.htm - grc anti spyware program and info.

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1 AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

And these are useful utilities;
http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
http://www.mailwasher.net/ -spam filter
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 2

To your question of - how do you know if somebody has hacked your computer ; a short answer is - you can try to find out but you can never be sure!!!

Try an online spyware scan and virus scan - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

If you get a clean chit, this still does not guarantee that your PC is not compromised.

If in doubt, format the entire hard disk (full low level format) or better start with a brand new disk - and install legal copy of windows - or better use Linux. Secure every bit of your PC as has been described by others. firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware etc..

Answer 3

If you're sure that someone has hacked your computer,

First try to install an AntiSpyware and a Firewall and if it couldn't fix the problem, format your hard disk drive and renistall the operating system

Don't forget to get an AntiSpyware/Firewall

Good Luck

Answer 4

We need more information about your problem. Why do you think you've been hacked? Is your computer running slow? Is your information missing?
You could have spy ware, adware, or a virus, not necessarily been 'hacked'. Do you have a virus scanner, and a firewall? What Operating System are you using?

Answer 5

go in to your history folder and have a look around you should see when certain files were accessed.


get zone alarm free firewall download from the internet, this should stop most hackers if set up properly, and it produces a log of all attempted hacks,

if you dont have a fire wall the chances are you have been hacked

Answer 6

It depends on what type of firewall software you have. With Mcafee, you can find out about attempts to hack into your computer, track where those attempts came from, ban them from accessing your computer, and report them to hackerswatch.org. It's all accesible from the menu when you load the program.

Answer 7

in the journey that your pc is hooked as much as the internet, you may nicely be effective that there are people who be attentive to the thank you to get into it. so a techniques as hacking it via the webcam, i'm uncertain if I understand precisely what you're asking. The course that concepts is transferred around the cyber web via the webcam is susceptible, although that is not probably available to hack it with the webcam. that is much greater probably that that is hacked via messenger.

Answer 8

Good day. U cant actually kno unless the hacker leaves a mark or actually communicates with you. Yur computer may act odd but it doesnt necessarily have to be a hacker. Generally u cant really kno but u can take steps to prevent. Zone Alarm basic firewall has high ratings and it is good:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en

Laterz.

Answer 9

Depends on what you mean by 'hack'.

If you mean the 'correct' definition, then most software has hacks in it.

If you mean what's really 'cracking', then if they're any good you don't know.

Answer 10

It slows dramatically - prevent it and use a firewall! Try Zone Alarm. www.zonelabs.com