Need Help Serious Tech Privacy Problem

Mr.Jones · Feb 25, 2005

I'm almost positive this has happened yet find it hard to believe. I have a relative who was a rocket scientist literally. The man lives and breathes technology. I am technologically inept.

Recently he stayed at my place for several days and hooked up a linksys and wireless laptop to my computer. Played with it for hours.

I just talked to him on the phone and maybe tempers got frayed and he made a statement regarding an intended purchase I am making which he absolutely, positively could not have had an inkling of had he not been privy to details of my web surfing the last couple of days. This just floored me.

This guy has had his nose in my business as much as possible the last few years. Reason for that is a personal matter. It is a fact however which Mrs. Jones understands quite well. So I'm not being delusional. This is beyond belief if true. BTW, we did catch him taking digital pictures in my office. Also he has loaded some pictures on my computers.

For sure he could be watching every keystroke. Right? Me and the Mrs. are devastated...possibly every account and every password. Right? Any idea of what I should do.

Hope your'e reading this you SOB.

Really need some advice. Can someone just do that? That is the first thing I need to know. He lives more than 2000 miles away.

kidslick · Feb 25, 2005

For sure he could be watching every keystroke. Right? Me and the Mrs. are devastated...possibly every account and every password. Right? Any idea of what I should do.

that is so true ,

i would wait until cheater ttinco come in hear to respond

lakerfan · Feb 25, 2005

Mr. Jones said:
Recently he stayed at my place for several days and hooked up a linksys and wireless laptop to my computer. Played with it for hours.

Depending on the security of your computer, it is very possible he could access your internet history since you let him put both of your computers on the same network.

He also might have just looked at your internet history from your computer, if he was ever alone in your office (like when he was taking these pictures, WTF), he could just go to your computer and have a quick look.

None of our business, but given your feelings about him, how about never allowing him in your home again?

TheGeneral+ · Feb 25, 2005

You need to call your IP provider and ask them for assistance and then your router provider techies so they can show you how to check log files on others trying to access your network. Explain to them the same you did to us. I am no expert, but I would start there.

corporeal · Feb 25, 2005

It's a hassle, but if you're really freaked out I would:
-format both computers (instructions at microsoft's website, you need your windows installation cd). if you have any important docs/files, burn them off before you do it.
-get someone more tech savvy to get your internet set up again
-change all your passwords once you get your internet back

i wouldn't worry too much about keystroke logging though, and just delete all the pictures he put on your computer, delete your internet history, never talk to him again.

JohnnyDeMarco · Feb 25, 2005

Is the linksys still hooked up? If so take it off. Second, go to microsoft.com and download their Beta anti spyware for free-you'll find it under downloads. Run the program-do a full system scan after you install it. It will tell you if he planted anything on your system and you can delete it. Third and probably the most important-change all your passwords-email-banking etc. Nice friend. The way this guy sounds I'd take my wife for a checkup too. (kidding) good luck

volhound · Feb 25, 2005

send him a dead rat in the mail
he might get the picture

Mr.Jones · Feb 25, 2005

Guys,

I'm in a state of shock still. Thanks for the answers. Death in the family was why he was here and staying with us. He had hooked these things up on his last visit a few months ago. He took some pictures at the funeral and putting them into the computer was why he was into it this time. Although basically he spends all of his time playing with the computer when he is here anyway. All I do before letting him use it is delete the history of web sites visited. And he already knows too much about the wagering. He does not use the computer as a means to an end but he tinkers with it. Tinkering is an end in itself for him.

He's been back in SoCal for three or four weeks. Only for the last week or so have I been researching internet info on a high ticket item. Had never ever talked to him about it and had never even thought of buying the item before myself. He gets pissed at me and blurts out over the phone exactly the item I've been looking at on the net saying "you don't need the............ either."

He named exactly the make and model. Having done that he quickly said he was busy and excused himself from the conversation. I had not even talked to him since I thought of buying this item nor did I tell a soul about it.

Motive is an inheritance or rather lack of it. Who got what and who didn't. All that evil stuff that is brought out in some when fortunes they expect don't materialize.

Sad the things "family" is capable of doing for the love of $$$.

Hopefully there will be more comments in this thread. Thank you.

DarrylParsons · Feb 25, 2005

Sounds like a pretty ugly situation. I would second what corporeal said.

But I am not a believer in one-sided meanness. You know, two sides to the story and all that... Best of luck in any case.

Mr.Jones · Feb 25, 2005

There is another side Darryl. It's deep in the history of the family and far too personal to go into. In no way does it warrant his actions sir.

You have to go back a generation and more. In our terms you could say it was a bad beat or tough loss for him but it's something neither he nor I had any control over and he has made out just fine since then.

1cheater · Feb 25, 2005

corporeal said:
It's a hassle, but if you're really freaked out I would:
-format both computers (instructions at microsoft's website, you need your windows installation cd). if you have any important docs/files, burn them off before you do it.
-get someone more tech savvy to get your internet set up again
-change all your passwords once you get your internet back

i wouldn't worry too much about keystroke logging though, and just delete all the pictures he put on your computer, delete your internet history, never talk to him again.

Corporeal, thanks for saving me the time of typing what you did!

Mr Jones,

I would definatly do what Corporeal said... They have programs(spy programs, not spyware) out now that record everything a person does on a computer and deliver every minute play by play like a movie what someone does on their computer; trying to clear histories, cookies, tempfiles or even windows temp files does nothing because the program is a seperate enditity. These programs are also able to send the recorded activity to another location at any time through your connection to the net via a designated port of which the person designates and locks.

After you have formatted I would put a password on your computer and lock down all access to it to only the people you CAN TRUST...

GOOD LUCK with your road ahead, I feel for ya..

Mr.Jones · Feb 25, 2005

Thanks again guys from both myself and Mrs. Jones. We know what we have to do now and lets let this chit die. Ugly stuff for sure. Hate even talking about it.

Whoson1st · Feb 25, 2005

#1cheater# said:
Corporeal, thanks for saving me the time of typing what you did!

Mr Jones,

I would definatly do what Corporeal said... They have programs(spy programs, not spyware) out now that record everything a person does on a computer and deliver every minute play by play like a movie what someone does on their computer; trying to clear histories, cookies, tempfiles or even windows temp files does nothing because the program is a seperate enditity. These programs are also able to send the recorded activity to another location at any time through your connection to the net via a designated port of which the person designates and locks.

After you have formatted I would put a password on your computer and lock down all access to it to only the people you CAN TRUST...

GOOD LUCK with your road ahead, I feel for ya..

I have a question about computer passwords. Can't the password be bypassed if someone starts your computer in "safe mode"?
I had to do that once for mine and was surprised to see the screen come up. Although it was slow--all the info was there. :icon_conf

1cheater · Feb 25, 2005

Whoson1st said:
I have a question about computer passwords. Can't the password be bypassed if someone starts your computer in "safe mode"?
I had to do that once for mine and was surprised to see the screen come up. Although it was slow--all the info was there.

Yup, that's true, but there are more secure computer locks on the market.. I haven't researched them, no need for me too, but I can if you want?

corporeal · Feb 25, 2005

Re: passwords and safe mode (assuming you're using XP home)
"In Windows XP Home, the built-in 'administrator' account is only available in safe mode and is the default account for that mode. The password for the administrator account is blank, since it is not accessible except in safe mode. It's recommended that you log in as this account to make changes in safe mode.
The fact that the administrator password is blank by default also allows you to use XP Home's safe mode to reset the password of other user accounts on your machine in the event that you lose the original password. Of course, this also means that every user account on your system is vulnerable to someone with direct access to the system, which is why XP Home is intended for non-business use only."

Mr Jones: a crucial part of fixing your computer is not changing your passwords until any possible keylog programs are safely cleared off. if possible and for some reason changing them is time sensitive, change them on a friend's computer.

chalkeater · Feb 26, 2005

1. Download Webroot Window Washer (Use this first to clean everything)
2. Download Webroot SpySweeper.
3. Download Lavasoft Ad-Aware.
4. Make sure you are using a firewall. If not, download Sygate Personal Firewall.
5. Make sure WEP is enabled on your router.

If you follow these instructions, you should NOT have any more problems.

Chalk

TTinCO · Feb 26, 2005

Spysweeper & Windows washer are great suggestions

Assuming you aren't just overly paranoid, it does sound like he loaded some type of keystroke tracker on your machine--which should be found by Spysweeper.

Having a firewall (I prefer Norton) is a must have for anyone who has ANY data that they wish to protect on their machine. Without one, you are an easy, easy target for a wide variety of problems.

1cheater · Feb 26, 2005

TTinCo, I had a HUGE problem with Windowswasher a while back; it kept deleting my Himem file and I had to reformatt 3-4 times before I tracked down the source of the problem... Just be carefull configuring it if you get it...

I agree Norton is the great, but have you ever tried PC-cillin?

TTinCO · Feb 26, 2005

Big fan of PC cillin (and Trend anti-virus products in general). I use them on the corporate network for all anti virus--absolutely top notch. I was just referring to Norton for a personal firewall.

You are correct about WW....you do have to be careful, and now that I think about it, it's probably not a good thing to use unless you know what you are doing. It can definitely wreck a lot more than it fixes.

Whoson1st · Feb 26, 2005

I just ran a free-scan called Xoftspy4.10 and it found 14 items in my registry that spysweeper has not found. (I have the most up to date definations from Spysweeper).

This program is from a company called ParetoLogic. Has anyone tried their program?