Motive for Hacking Your Computer

There are many reasons why someone would want to hack your computer.

It use to be and still is, people will do it simply for fun, because they can and like the challenge. But, the main reason in this digital age people do it is for information, with the end game being profit.

The bad guys know you either keep important, private financial information on your computer they can use, or you do something like internet banking, Paypal, or pay your bills using your computer online.

We are pretty luck in Australia compared to most of the world in what we have. But this also makes us a big target for criminal networks not only from other countries but from domestic criminals as well.

People no longer have to break your window and jump through it into your house to steal from you. They can do it much easier with less risk by coming in over your telephone/internet line.

The criminal who steals from you can be on the other side of the world, hidden and free from law or restrictions sitting in a cafe behind their computer with no fear or risk at all.

Signs Your Computer Has Been Hacked

The first thing I want to say is, for anyone who does any sort of internet banking or financial movements online is check your bank statements regularly; literally every time you are issued one. Look for any discrepancies and if there are, contact your financial institution immediately.

For the most part there are two ways someone can either have control of your computer or your information.

The first is, they are actually controlling your computer remotely, as if they are physically behind it controlling your mouse and keyboard.

You will know when this is happening because you will see your mouse moving all over the place, pages and documents opening by themselves, as the criminals are looking for information.

A way they get around you not seeing this is by blacking out your screen so you think your computer has just gone to sleep, while they are doing their activities.

They also might also wait for times when they you will probably be a sleep or at work and wont notice any activity on your computer where they will have the time they needed to complete their objectives.

Computers don’t just allow people to access them. The criminals either look for computers which have vulnerabilities such as remote control software on them or they trick you into installing it yourself through a series of channels of existing software, or by talking to you over the phone.

The Second Problem is Spyware – Automated Virus Spying Software

Spyware is a form of virus which rather than hurts your computer, spies on you to see what you are doing, what sites you are going and what usernames and passwords you are using.

For example most spyware is accidentally installed by you the user. One day you are surfing the internet and you see something you want to download. But instead the owner of the website replaces the file with a remote access control program or spyware which you thought was the legitimate file and install on your computer.

Then that Spyware sits quietly, recording where you go and what keys you press on your keyboard, like passwords for bank account, credit card numbers and other accounts like Paypal, eMail and Facebook.

Spyware leaves little indication it is on your computer. If it did it would totally defeat its purpose of being on there.

Sometimes Spyware comes bundled with other application which might be doing something strange on your computer, you hopefully notice. Such as pages opening unexpectedly or a sudden influx of ads popping up.

All types of computers can be hacked, including Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX and Linux Distributions. It is a big mistake to think it can not happen to you because you have bought a certain brand, or have certain software on your computer or laptop.

What You Can Do When Your Computers Been Hacked

The first thing anyone can do when they think someone might have control of their system of someone could be spying on them is turn your computer off.

If your computer is not on, the simply can not do anymore damage or get anymore information.

However, this does not mean they do not already have enough information to hurt you. So you must go into damage control mode.

If you do any financial institution work such as banking on your computers call your bank straight away and inform them to be on the look out and ask them to help you change your password immediately. If the criminals no longer have you new password they can no longer use it.

The same goes for any other accounts you may have. If you use Facebook, email or anything else online, change those Passwords.

DO NOT USE THE INFECTED COMPUTER TO CHANGE PASSWORDS – doing this will only give the people spying on you the latest password to log in to your account. Use a computer which is not infected or call the company’s yourself over the phone.

But I Have Antivirus On My Computer

Antivirus program are good, but not great.

For the past 20 years, every day I see computers with viruses on them. And every single one of those computers have one of the well known antivirus programs installed.

Im absolutely sure if these computers did not have antivirus programs on them the damage and spread of computer viruses would be much worse. But it also shows they are not 100% effective and virus still some how get through.

There are actually programs out there called RootKits which stop your computer identifying and removing virus.

There are a lot more people making computer viruses in places we have never heard of, then there are computer companies making antivirus programs.

Its a constant battle and i think antivirus programs are winning but there are always casualties.

What Can I Do To Protect Myself

They bad guys are always coming up with new and innovative ways to get you. But there are a couple of things you can practice to secure yourself better from the attack.

People sometimes ask me how can I stop this from happening. I always give them the analogy your mechanic would probably give you if you crashed your car and that is the only way to completely make sure it never happens again is to not use it.

This is not very practical and not an answer people want to hear, but it’s the truth. So the best three things we can do is ensure that:

1. Keep your operating system and programs like antivirus up to date. A lot of these applications come with automatic update scheduling and it is a great idea to let them so this.
2. Never accept things from people with out doing your due diligence. Even from people you know. You might receive an email from your family member and just assume its legitimate. But they could have a virus on their computer, which sends out emails with more viruses to people in their contacts like a worm. If you are not expecting anything don’t open it, or give them a call.
3. Be careful what you download and open. Be very weary of anything offered for free, Do you research on an application and it’s source. If your not sure, do not open it and do not download it.

Worried You Might Be Infected But Not Sure

Its better to be safe than sorry. We know at Townsville Nerds you don’t want to spend a lot of money just find out you were not infected to begin with.

Thats why we offer a 100% totally free scan on all computers and laptop. And even if we do find something and you choose not to go ahead with the repair, the scan and diagnosis is till completely free.

Call Ross today on 0402 807 890 for you 100% free no obligation diagnosis and quote.