I installed Norton Internet Security recently, after suspecting that someone [people] was monitoring my activities, and haaktools were found and removed from my PC. I still have this creeping feeling that someone is still spying on my activities on the internet. The most disturbing thing is the thought of the contents of some of my mails being read by someone else. Is my email account protected against spyware and hackers? I use yahoo. And how can i completely rid my PC of these intruders - i'm willing to go to any length. Thanks.
2006-12-11 05:41:28 · 9 answers · asked by ebony 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Start by wiping your computer completely. Dban (http://dban.sourceforge.net/) will do the trick. Reinstall the OS (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.). Use good practices to avoid installing spyware and viruses. Keep Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) and perhaps Ad-aware to scan your computer. Avoid Internet Explorer and use Firefox or Opera, which are not susceptible as much to attacks. And so on.
Once you can trust your computer, ensure that your password isn't known. Change your password to something strong. Don't use words like sugarcake or so on. Use a string of numbers and letters like 2Lasd83_a12j8 which is much stronger and resistant.
When connecting to your e-mail, use a secure connection. Don't use unsecured wireless connections. Don't pass your connection through unsecured proxies. Use SSL connections and encrypted connections to your e-mail.
2006-12-11 05:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by csanon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Internet is not a safe place if you go online without securing your computer. The information here may seem like a lot to absorb, especially for novice computer users, yet if you are patient and take each item one at a time you will soon realize how uncomplicated this really is. Following these protection guidelines is an absolute must in today's online world.
After applying everything listed here you are lowering your vulnerability to almost zero; however nothing will ever protect you 100%, and don't ever believe anyone who claims otherwise.
http://www.tom-cat.com/security.html
2006-12-11 06:20:56 · answer #2 · answered by rlh242424 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not completely secure.
My husband had this problem only after portions of documents and emails he had wrote (which included finances and excerpts from a story about a private and personal experience he had wrote to share with a mens group at our church) were emailed to everyone in our address book! It was awful, not to mention embarrassing. Friends called and were like, what is this that he sent us? I never knew this...why did he send us your bank records...etc! So be careful!
We had to reset the computer to original factory settings, run McAfee a few times and change our email address.
Good luck!
2006-12-11 05:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is happening to bring you to the conclusion that you are being hacked?
If you are willing to go to any length, I highly recommend you install Ubuntu as your only or main operating system.
Otherwise, don't give out any personal info, get a good firewall on your router and computer, and never post your email address anywhere.
2006-12-11 05:48:18 · answer #4 · answered by Indref Ashen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are afraid of hackers and have a microsoft PC it's normal. because so many people have microsoft, it is easy to sperad a virus, and hack computers.
I suggest getting an Apple computer. their are no known virus. and hackers don't care about Apple's, because a few people have.
2006-12-11 05:54:55 · answer #5 · answered by Junior 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Yahoo Help site tells you what to do if you believe your account has been hacked.
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/security/account_security/account_security-110323.html
Before changing your password please go here and learn how to make a strong password. The easier you password the faster password cracking programs (like Brute Force) can crack them. Kim Komando also explains how you can modify one base password to use for many different things.
http://komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=1503
2006-12-11 06:10:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
best protection besides having norton up todate and doing full scans (frequently)
is changing your passwords.
also install adaware
www.lavasoft.com
se personal its free
get update,reboot and do full scan
spybot is another good choice
2006-12-11 05:59:03 · answer #7 · answered by great one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can if they have your password, or if you have a trojan. Check your computer for trojans, never access your mail from any computer other than your own and change you password regularly.
2006-12-11 05:56:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they can .. dont give anyone your password.. and try not to make your password so simple... change it every six month or so..but dont forget it though..
2006-12-11 05:51:29 · answer #9 · answered by JIPP 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋