Hi Free2bme:
If you have no Internet Security, about the only way you would know is if you picked up a Virus or Trojan from the Internet (this is providing that you never use a Floppy in your 'A' Drive from another person. Getting a Virus or Trojan of itself does not mean that you have been 'Hacked], but does indicate your vulnerability. Hackers can enter through 'back-door' unused ports.
Who are the Hackers?:Typically, Hackers come in five basic flavors, those who are just nosey and sporting around, and those who are criminal and are looking for credit card and other personal information, the Government when it feels the need to spy on someone, or on a more rare ocassion, a person working for an institution of some sort (e.g. religious cult, who is trying to determine some information on those they call enemies), and private investigators hired to get information on another person or organization (e.g. a married person spying on their spouse).
Definitions:
1. A Hacker is someone who can get access to your PC via remote operation, such as through the Internet or even a secured network line, and can read your hard-drive data, etc. This has even happened to the Government, notability the Department of Defense, where spys have gotten into military stuff and wreaked havoc. Hackers of the general nusiance variety will also send out Viruses and Trojans much the same as a vandal will sets fires or spray paint buildings.
2. A Virus is a code sequence or routine, often an Executable file, that mimicks common files, but contains anything from a harmless nusiance, such as forcing your cursor arrow to run all over the screen on its own, or swear words appearing on the screen from nowhere, to serious viruses that disrupt your primary operating system, destroys files and data, and can shut your system down.
3. A Trojan is what the name implies. The Greeks fooled their enemy one time by sending what is called the Trojan Horse. The enemy received it as a gift and it looked real cool. Then at night, when no one was on watch, soldiers insided the giant horse climbed out and destoryed the city. In a similar fashion, a Trojan Virus will be accepted as acceptable by your PC, and then at some predetermined time or during some operation, it will trigger a sub-routine that will cause trouble. It was a Trojan that activated when my Anti-Virus tried to quaranteen it. And it shut down my operating system.
If you have Internet Security of some sort, then you can erect Firewalls, stop Hackers, shield away Viruses and Trojans. In just one typical day, I get at least 2 Security Alerts resulting from an average of 3 Hacking attempts and about 15 to 20 attempot to deliver Trojans. All of it happens while I am on the Internet.
My system is able to trace the unique Internet transmission code and at times identify the ISP / Email address of the Hacker. Most good Hackers use various anonymizers to shield their identity. But some are stupid.
If push comes to shove, the transmission code can be traced to the ISP that provides the Anonymizer service, and with a Court Warrant, they can be forced to reveal the identity of the Hacker. But this can only be done if a crime has been committed. Attempted hacking on private citizens is usually not a crime. A successful Hack is a crime if the Hacker gets information such as credit cards or causes a system to shut down.
Some have asked me what I use to protect my system. It is a combination of a common software sold in retail outlets, and some of my own proprietary development for my own personal use. I won't share it or sell it. One the routines are out there, then Hackers can devise ways to get around it by studying the program. But, if no one has the program, then Hackers are hard pressed to get into my system.
Recommendation:For the best protection and functionality, I recommend Norton Internet Security 2001, Version 3.0. I paid $50.00 + tax for mine.
I do not use the Utility because I don't need it. Most Windows Systems have an adequate utility built in to the operating system. I no longer use McAfee. They have a good system, but in my opinion their "Nuts & Bolts Utility sucks and it uses too much RAM and slows my system way down. Norton on the other hand stays out of the way.
By the Way Just as I have been typing this I have another Security Alert. It is someone trying to Hack me with a Trojan. Cool!
Amazing
