Am I Overreacting??

[drlove]

For those of you who don't know, I had a keylogger.trojan virus on my computer. For some reason, the virus was on my computer for two days before my virus protection software alerted me to it. Therefore, the hacker(s) would have had ample opportunity to gather usernames etc. from various sites I frequent.

Moreover, I am a member of an online dating service. This evening, out of the blue I received a message from a college student in the states who said she is moving to my area in a few weeks, would like someone to show her around, and therefore would like to get to know more about me. She suggested I contact her at her hotmail address.

While this sounds great on the surface, I got to thinking that the hacker would know my username at that site, so what better way than to send me an infected message under the guise of a new female member. Hypothetically speaking, it is a very insidious way of spreading a virus, since when she replies to me from the hotmail account, I will recognize her as a potential prospect and open the e-mail, which leaves my comp. open to attack.

Again, I realize this is a bit far fetched; however, I am simply examining the issue from all sides. In light of what happened, one cannot be too careful.

Any thoughts??

 

[jwmorrice]

You know it's far-fetched but you're examining the issue from all sides. Sounds like the doctor is just a wee bit obsessive!

jwm

 

[xarir]

Viruses - yet another reason I use a Mac ...

So this student asks you to contact her. Great! (Congratulations too BTW. Please post a review of your online dating stories. ) You send her an email, she replies. I would think that if this "student" is really the hacker, there would be a need to attach something to the email if you were going to be hacked / attacked again. So as long as she doesn't send any attachments, where's the problem?

Furthermore, doesn't your virus software scan incoming emails before you open them?

 

[drlove]

True enough... of course, the attatchment may or may not be a photo. I'm not sure if incoming e-mails are scanned automatically or not, to be honest.

I'm just a bit wary right now... you know what they say - once bitten...

Anyhow, she does seem very interested Who knows, maybe I'll end up giving Richargl a run for his money! *lol*

 

[shack]

Get a cheap second computer to access messages you suspect of being infected. Sorry, that's all I could think of. I'm not too computer savvy.

 

[algonquinguide]

some advice

Hotmail uses the latest version of McAfee online virus scanning for all attachements.. there's a variety of viruses, trogan's etc out there.. so if you really want to worry about being hacked the basic story.. if your online set up a firewall. It's really easy to hack anyone online.. (used to work in the computer industry) If your running a broad band (hispeed service) it's even easier since your IP address is static (stays the same always).. When I worked in the computer industry one of the IT guys filled my home computer's hard drive with pictures of really fat naked chicks.. and then created a short cut to the folder on the desktop to the file.. .needless to say I had some explaining to do when I got home and my size 1, 100lb little wiffie wanted me to explain why I liked really fat women.. So if your worried about being hacked get your self a firewall so you can control the flow to and from the internet..

 

[Pyro]

Any thoughts??

Yeah. To be safe, I think you should stop using your computer altogether. To be really safe, move to a cottage up north that does not have any electricity or telephone access. If you get any snail-mail, burn it immediately.

Pyro.

 

[KBear]

You are overreacting based on the email from the lady that wants to meet you. I get them all the time, along with the we need your help to recover $40,000,000 from a bank letters, and opportunities to extend my penis letters.

Eg. >>>Hiya My Name is Jennifer, Jen for short.

My friend told me that you were really cool and said I should contact you.

I love meeting new people, and I have just turned on my free webcam so you should come chat with me,
and you can also watch me on it. Oh hey and dont worry, you dont even need a webcam to watch me!

 

[drlove]

Re: Re: Am I Overreacting??

Yeah. To be safe, I think you should stop using your computer altogether. To be really safe, move to a cottage up north that does not have any electricity or telephone access. If you get any snail-mail, burn it immediately.

Pyro.

Now, why didn't I think of that??

 

[tboy]

Like Kbear says, those emails go out all the time, I receive about 20 a day myself (got on a &*#&()*# spam list).

They also read: Its been a while since we chatted so.... I really like you...... I want to have your children....(sorry, made that last one up)

Dr. You should review the preferences of your virus protection software and make sure that you have "scan incoming and outgoing emails" selected. Also you will have to make sure you have all the updated filters.

McAffee has a subscriber service that I use that automatically checks for updates daily. I'm sure norton and others do. Remember: the hackers are always coming up with new ways to bug us so the virus software has to be up to date.

Good luck!

PS If you're really worried about them obtaining your login ID to the sites you visit you could always go there and change your name and or password.

 

[pool]

FWIW I awoke to the same virus yesterday and did not receive any such email. I'm not really sure how I contracted the virus. The only strange emails I've received lately were regarding penis enlargement.

I thought I'd rid myself of the virus, but it appears to still be lodged in system restore, so I'm off to see if I can rid myself of this bug once and for all ...

 

[shack]

FWIW I awoke to the same virus yesterday and did not receive any such email. I'm not really sure how I contracted the virus.

Maybe you got it from drlove by having unprotected PM's.