Someone has gotten hold of my IP address and managed to hack into my computer?

Question

How is this possible and what steps can I take to make sure it doesn't happen again?

*update* does anyone know how this can be done? other than changing an IP address and installing a firewall and anti-spyware software, is there more to do to prevent this type of thing from happening again in the future? Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

use a software firewall ... anyone can see ur ip on any site u visit ...

Answer 2

If someone can get you to visit a website they control , say for instance send you a link and they know it is you that visited they will get your ip address from the webserver logs. if they send you a picture embedded in an email (not attached) this has the same effect as the photo is stored on a webserver.

all manner of files can have bad stuff attached to them (malware) pdf files are one that many do not realise, ensure that acrobat is updated.

once you are infected , the user doesnt need to find out your ip address he already knows as the vicous program installed will tell him.

keep anti virus software updated.


if you have a firewall make sure it is enabled if not get one, go through the programs which have access as to internet and as a server, disable anything suspicous, if anything does not work as a result you can reenable although it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a program you use that seems harmless is part of the malware or involved.

using a router instead of a modem adds a layer of protection but cannot be relied on.

commonly virus and trojans can be installed onto your machine if you visit websites, many people think you have to download and run programs to be infected , this is not the case. one of the biggest problems is microsoft internet explorer. vulnerablilities are found all the time and are exploited. if you use internet explorer ensure it is updated reguarly via windows update, start/help and support/ keep your computer up to date.

Answer 3

Depends on where you are. If you are at home or in a business where you don't have an It department. Then you need to reset your IP address. You need to set up a firewall to block unwanted access. Microsoft provides one. Go to the control panel and read up in the help files. You should also get a strong anti-virus and spy-ware software. Note this will not protect you from every one but will keep most out.

If you have an IT department then report it to them and they will take appropriate action.

Answer 4

DoS or ping flood or trojans calling home for hackers are the usual ways of being hacked.
reedit:
Blocking IP address of attacker manually
Using the Run Procedure and Command Prompt, totally prevents hacker to be blocked.
Anonymize your IP address using software proxies
Like stealthing, which firewalls can do.
Filtering Packets
Filtering flood ping packets.
Having stealthed ports and not open ports.
Open = Hacker vulnerable (HTTP not vulnerable if you have the protection) Close = Hacker forceable Stealth = A bit harder
In policies of administrative tools, prevent the policy in security of "admin" accounts can be entered w/o password on remote control/access
Common sense.
Make your network private with a router
If you have one, set it to home mode.
Firewall Software [leak-proof]
Comodo Pro V3, a must-try.
Hardware Firewall built-in
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware/Anti-Keylogger/Anti-Trojanware
Common sense. and it offers other protection that could help with anti-being-hacked.
keep rundll32.exe gone
Security vulnerability.
Have an WAP/WEP address on the router
Common sense.
Security Knowledge, disconnect internet when "hacked"
Prevent infected computers to call home for reinforcements or hacker to connect.
Disable network file sharing
Unless you have a network of computers using enterprise level security.
Add a password that is like a passphrase to window accounts
Obviously.
Encrypt your files that you don't want hackers to see with software and Hide them additionally adding $ to the beginning and end of the file to stealth it even more as system files, however only newb hackers will not realize this
Pretty much forces hackers to crack in a second time just to steal some info.
Clean up your computer with a clean up utility like
http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html
http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/
Removing basic and hidden data is the key to preventing hackers from stealing information, and now theres only 2 ways the .dat way and the HDD forsenic way for them to retrieve the data using secured deletion.
Do not name your network/computer 'ebay accounts or something attractive'
Obviously.
Stay trojan-free clean in the first place

Now I really recommand Comodo Firewall Pro v3, it is much more effective with
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/overview.html?currency=USD®ion=North%20America&country=CA
Constantly monitors and defends your PC from internet attacks
Gain complete control over which programs are allowed internet access
Patent-pending Clean PC mode maintains any new computer as a virus free computer
A-VSMART prevention technology is a next generation Anti Virus, Spyware, Malware, Rootkits and Trojans (VSMART) platform that prevents harmful applications from getting installed on your system
Host Intrusion Prevention System can stop malware ever being installed
Stay protected against new threats via automatic online updates
Real time traffic monitoring enables you to react instantly to threats and identify bandwidth bottlenecks.
Easy to use interface and quick setup
No license fee - complete protection at no cost for networks and home users
and is firewall leak proof along with Ping flood immunized threat and hackers will probably take alonger time disabling the interface of the firewall.
And those are most of the ways of how to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Answer 5

Not to many people can hack a ip but i would go get a firewall and if you really want to, start using proxys, but they will make your internet run slower than what it is sapost too. and yes as the person said, any web site or any thing you do online gets your ip address....

use my links on my unfinished web site.... to get what you need

Answer 6

You need to install a firewall on your PC or router. IP addresses are public and I would not rely on resetting it to avoid the problem.

Answer 7

No. no you may enter your pc merely because of the fact they comprehend your ip selection. There are some techniques one's pc is vulnerable. a million. Firewall: residing house windows default firewall is stable adequate to stop most of the assaults. yet installation extra powerful firewalls like Zonealarm, Norton or others might supply extra powerful protection. 2. preserve login to your pc with stable consumer identity and password. by no ability exhibit them to all and sundry. 3. Use in uncomplicated terms a login with constrained rights rather of an administrator login for ordinary use. 4. by no ability enable distant own pc or distant tips on your pc. 5. Shutdown/sleep your pc while no longer in use.

Answer 8

Are you sure it is not coming from the inside (IE you have some malware on a your computer that is allowing access) If you have a router it is nearly impossible to get in from the outside, there must be something contacting the outside. Unless you have an unpatched windows computer hooked straight up to your modem, it is unlikely that someone just broke in from the outside. Do you download stuff from P2P (limewire, bittorrent)?

Answer 9

You need to refresh your IP address. To avoid this, get a good firewall (there's a few good free ones available such as Comodo and ZoneAlarm if using Windows)

Answer 10

to renew your IP address, go to the command prompt. (click start, then run, then type "cmd") then type "ipconfig /renew" that should give you a new IP address. and also put a firewall to prevent intruders from accessing your computer.