Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: lizma
I'd say there is a good chance you are totally and completely compromised. I would immediately notify your credit card companies (STOP READING AND PICK UP THE PHONE, NOW!!!!).

OK, now that you've canceled them all, let your bank know (again, right now if there is a 24 hour phone number). Secure the daylights out of your network. Using a dial-up connection and a borrowed computer, change your passwords using random ones (remember, your personal data was compromised so they have clues to crack your mnemonic-based schemes). Copy only data files that you need to save to a CD and then reformat your hard drive and reinstall from original CD's, not backups. If you were thinking of buying a new computer, maybe now is the time assuming you have any money left.

10 posted on 01/15/2004 6:24:28 PM PST by NonValueAdded ("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: NonValueAdded
Do you think it's possible that spyware or virus software could have been put on my computers as a result of the compromise? Is that the reason you're suggesting that I reformat all hard drives?

That seems a little drastic, but of course, I do want to be protected. Couldn't I achieve the same effect with anti-spyware or antivirus software?

Do you know of any examples where this has happened to someone?

Here's my plan--please let me know what you think. I've turned off all file sharing and have set my MAC filter not to allow anyone to connect to the network. But, I'm leaving the wireless network on (and my laptop off). If a computer with my laptop's MAC address tries to connect to my network, my filtering will pick it up & let me know that it happened, but won't let anyone connect. That will help me decide if this person is trying to break in again, and if he was spoofing my MAC address, and if so, will definitely tell me that I have something to be worried about & will be even more careful. Even if nobody tries to break in, I'll still change account numbers & check with credit bureaus to make sure nobody is doing anything fishy.
23 posted on 01/15/2004 8:00:12 PM PST by lizma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson