Need some computer security help please

by Bendrr 7 Replies latest jw friends

  • Bendrr
    Bendrr

    I've recently switched from DSL to cable internet access. Monday evening I went to sign on to Yahoo Messenger and got the message that my account had been locked "for security reasons".

    Yesterday I finally found a phone number and called Yahoo about it. The guy verified all my info and told me that someone had tried to use my Yahoo screenname and had entered an incorrect password 10 times in a row, thus triggering the security lock on my Yahoo ID. He said he wasn't allowed to release to me the IP from where the access had been attempted. I even suggested giving him the IP of my pc (since I'm on cable which is "always on" it's gonna be the same IP, right?) to see if they matched but he said he couldn't even do that.

    So I just set up another Yahoo ID and everything's cool.....I guess.

    I don't use that ID for Yahoo chat, so I don't see someone from a chatroom trying to hack my ID. I've got a friend who's got a key to my apartment and she comes over and uses the computer sometimes during the day when I'm gone. Best I can figure is that maybe she tried to log on and guess the password. I asked her and she denied even being over here. Which I know is a lie. I also know that she's deleted emails from my computer before I got home to read them.

    I'd like some info from those of you in the know. Is there software I can install on my pc that runs invisibly and records someone's activities? Web sites visited, instant messaging, whether she's accessing stuff on my hard drive, basically everything.

    I know that probably comes off as intrusive and paranoid. I don't want to get in to the whole story behind this if I don't have to. But to simply lock her out of my computer or change the locks on the apartment may solve the problem but I'd be the bad guy and she'd be the "innocent victim". I know how her mind works and the best way to handle this is to have documented evidence and make her own up to it. Believe it or not, it'll go much better that way in the long run after she gets done pouting. Really and truly I don't mind her coming over to use my computer or just coming over to be here for a while. I just expect the common courtesy of a phone call saying "hey I'm over at your place". Which I haven't gotten. In fact, she's denied being over here at all when I know for a fact she has been over here at least 3 times in the past week without telling me. I'm actually considering buying a "nanny-cam" to see just what the hell she's up to over here since she wants to be so secretive about coming over. Where can I get a good deal on one?

    But anyway, if anyone can recommend some good monitoring software I'd appreciate it. Cheap as possible, maybe freeware or a trial-version.

    Once it's all over with, I'll fill y'all in on the rest.

    Mike.

    p.s. Oh yeah, now that I'm on cable internet.....If my computer is turned off, hackers can't break in to it right? And when I'm online, what's the best security software to use? I've got Zone Alarm Pro v3 right now.

  • little witch
    little witch

    Holy Cow,

    You can always check the history, if she isnt deleting it...If you have a restore feature, like is on Xp, you can go back to a restore point, and check the history log...

    hope this helps......Im not a whiz by any means..

    also, I would lock your puter, with a password, and not give her access anymore....

  • Simon
    Simon

    There are a few apps you can install that will allow you to log what someone does while you are not there. Have a look on download.com for them and search for things relating to computer security for kids / cheating spouses etc ...

    You can also get hardware key-catchers that are little dongles that plug between the keyboard and computer.

  • Nickey
    Nickey

    Look at a few programs on these sites to find out which one would work best for you:

    http://www.spywareonline.org/

    http://www.spy-monitoring-software.com/Spy-Monitoring-Software.htm

  • teejay
    teejay

    Mike,

    I'm curious...

    If you know this person is doing this stuff while you're not at home, why do they still have a key to your place? Screw the cloak and dagger stuff. GET HER OUTTA THERE!!!

  • Bendrr
    Bendrr

    Teej, I'm not worried about her stealing anything causing any damage. But have you ever known anyone who is never wrong? Ok that's what I'm dealing with and that's why I've got to do things this way.

    Mike.

  • iiz2cool
    iiz2cool

    I use software called WinWhatWhere that I purchased from the following site.

    http://www.trueactive.com/index.htm

    It records keystrokes and will email the keystroke database to you at regular intervals. The FBI used this software to sting some Russian hackers.

    There are also a number of cable/DSL routers that have limited firewall capabilities, but can provide some protection from hackers over the internet, and they're not too expensive, usually under $100.00

    Zonealarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee firewall are good too.

    If you're concerned about security on your own site, consider using Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro as your operating system, and configure security on it. You can also use it's event log to monitor unauthorized access attempts.

    Walter

  • Inquiry
    Inquiry

    Hey Bendrr...

    Wow... sound like a handful and a half... if you have xp you should be able to set up different users and you should be able to password them... you should have a firewall... to protect your puter from hackers... get a good one... they run pretty easily and you can get used to them fast...

    Also, change all your passwords, set up a new hotmail account. If it's from the outside, your puter and your stuff has already been violated... sorry, but they can have access to it all...

    Another suggestion I have about miss I am right is that you can tell her that you are worried about another intrusion and that you have passworded your puter so she can't have access and also since your personal info is on the puter... you've changed your locks to make sure your secure... just tell her the whole thing gave you the willies and your determined to feel safe... If she argues with you, just tell her, hey, I pay the rent here... it's my business and if you don't like it, tough... If she continues... just tell her end of subject... every time... If she's snooping around in your computer stuff... then it's still snooping... she can't justify it, but she can play little miss innocent... let her know there's a consequence... and if it wasn't her, you'll be protecting yourself from someone unknown... better safe than sorry...

    Hope this helps

    Inq

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