The Dark Side…
Table of contents for Security
About 2 weeks ago I had a very disturbing experience. My computer got a keylogger installed on it, and caused some serious problems.
A keylogger is software used to log keystrokes, and then transmits the logs to a specified location. The original purpose of this software is to keep track of employees activities, or to keep children safe from predators.
Unfortunately, it also used by the dark side to gain access to private information on a computer. What these criminals are trying to do is get login information to emails, banks and other financial accounts.
Luck was on my side…
In my case, luck played a huge factor in limiting the damage. I happened to be logged into the first account these scumbags tried to take over.
I won’t tell you how, but they messed up one of the steps to change the password. I got an email alert, and quickly changed my password.
Later that day the scumbags logged back into that account with the new passwords. These Einstein’s made the same mistake as before, and once again I was alerted. That tipped me off that my computer had a keylogger.
I switched computers, and started changing passwords. I also got on the phone with the company these scumbags were trying to get into, and had the account locked down.
The next few days were hectic as I tried to find the keylogger software on my computer.
Keylogger software is designed to run in a stealth mode. This makes it hard to detect, and it took 2 anti-virus/spyware programs to find the little bugger. Once I deleted the keylogger, it was reloaded almost immediately. That tipped me off that a trojan reloader might also be on the computer.
It took a 3rd anti-virus/spyware program to find the reloader. I was able to delete the reloader, the keylogger, and finally the computer was clean.
The aftermath
Everything seems to be restored back to normal. (Knock on wood) I only lost one email account, and I have kept the one account frozen for the time being (just in case).
As I look back over the events I realize what had happened. I had gotten complacent, and a little sloppy. My biggest mistake was not keeping my anti-virus/spyware software updated. Unfortunately, that was enough to start the ball rolling.
I’ve spent the last two weeks shoring up my computer security, and will show you what I’ve done. This security quest also extended to plugging the holes on my blog.
Over the next 2 days I’ll show you what I’ve done, and how you can also shore up your security.
Stay tuned, because some of this stuff you already know… but some of this will be a real eye opener.
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“In my case, luck played a huge factor in limiting the damage. I happened to be logged into the first account these scumbags tried to take over.
I won’t tell you how, but they messed up one of the steps to change the password. I got an email alert, and quickly changed my password.”
I’m am somewhat new to the net. So not only am I cramming in the basics, but at the same time I have to learn how to protect myself against the barracuda’s. Above you said you were logged in when they mounted their attack. So, what happened that made you aware that someone else was also trying to gain access to your account. Or would that answer be a stepping stone for a ‘wanna be predator’.
Sadie
9:41 am
Sadie,I can tell you some without giving away too much. They were trying to get control of the account by changing the settings. I got an email warning me that someone was trying to do this and had messed it up. I guess the reason I got the email was because they were not able to supply the correct information to confirm the setting changes. If they had done that… it would have been devastating.
Keith Goodrum
11:09 am
What really ‘ruffles my feathers’ is that these sharks can get in, but there is absolutely no way an ordinary joe or josephine can lock them out…without lots of effort and constantly being on the alert. And even that sometimes is just not enough…
Sadie
12:05 pm