Hackers Foiled

Foil The Hackers (After learning the hard way, I decided to buy a better firewall, below we review ways computers can be hacked. A message to the 29 percent of internet users who are not stealthed.)

There are several ways computer hackers can access a computer connected to the internet. The risk of them getting access to personal information such as email,.financial information, and Internet surfing habits is high. One way is to deposit malware on your computer. Malware can contain key loggers which record keystrokes which gives the hackers information about your passwords. Malware usely comes from illicit websites.

Trojan down loaders are another way to they do harm. On December 30 2007, a hacker from Scotland set up three websites to generate hits on my server - and because the url's that were coming to my site were so unusual, in the site stats of my server, I clicked one of the links. I was directed to a page that downloaded tons of Trojan down loaders onto my computer - which opened up web page after web page. All of the pages were obnoxious, including porno pages. Then he designed the attack to sell me the software to get rid of the crap he was downloading. Incidently - the way to deal with this type of attack is to disconnect the internet, and run a an antiviral software such as Spybot, or McAfee security suite. If the computer is not disconnected, even though the software is removed, the computer will download it again by a redirect to the page that downloaded it in the first place . Windows defender did not defend against this attack.

But there other techniques hackers can use. They can download VNC type software which gains remote control of the computer. They can then see all of your activities. And they can control your computers browser, they can steal files, and see passwords. They can upload your files as well.

Antiviral and malware detectors don't always detect these dangerous intrusions. And what is needed is a good firewall. Also, the router used for cable connections or DSL, should have a securitiy button so that hackers cannot access the network. My current router does not have this feature so I bought a very high end software called Outpost Pro Firewall. This software blocks any kind of intrusion attempt. It also works with McAffee security suite. It identifies the IP address of the intruder, the type of attack, the time, and then blocks the attack. Having rid my system of all the crap that was deposited by this creep from Scotland, and his vigilante friends I am immune now to his attacks, and from the attacks of other creeps like him.

(Since this jerk has already stolen my ss number, has my esig, and bank debit numbers he was reported to the FBI, and the the FTC, and so he is suspect one in any identify theft stemming from Britain. All of that info has been changed, an arduous process, but necessary. )

Aside from firewalls though there other ways to protect passwords.and private info..

Additional security:

One way to check for keyloggers is to run the task manager and see what processes are running, identify all of them, and shut down suspicous processes. . Microsoft does not provide a good description of what these do in their OS..but you can google each of the processes. Keyloggers and malware may mask as a windows process. Sometimes too, worms and viruses can attach to legitimate system processes like LSASS.EXE but they would not get that far with a good firewall. Google these processes and shut down the suspicious ones. Also, enter passwords online using the windows keyboard instead of using serial port or usb keyboards, keyloggers cannot be read from the windows keyboard. They can only read input from atandard keyboard.

I am now free of any kind of risk of exposure to him or others on the internet. And while there is some debate about whether hardware firewalls or software firewalls are the best – there is no doubt the software is doing the job. From the image above you can see the number of attacks that have been generated on this system in a week since I purchased the software. Some of them are benign from hosts. Others are not. No open port was available for entry. And, if there was still a trojan type software on this computer or a key logger, none of the data the hackers seek can get out. But to be double sure, since I do online banking and some stock trading, I enter my passwords using the windows keyboard..

As we speak I got a message from OutPost that this IP: 174.132.233.35 generated an attack. It could only be a host scanning for open ports, usually it is a one time scan. But this looks to be a phony IP as it cannot be located. It may well be a hacker. So I entered that IP in to the block completely function of the outpost software.

To test how permiable your system is, you should run the tests available on this page:

http://www.pcflank.com/about.htm?from=ofpmyinternet08

If your computer is vulnerable, you should consider getting Outpost Firewall Pro, it also has a good malware scan. For antiviral software, McAffee, or norton softwares are very good. I also keep a copy of spybot on my computer. I have seen one software pick up what another does not. Also, it is a good idea to down load the yahoo tool bar it has a good spyware function.. I picked up several of the viruses using my browser with that software.. If you decide to buy the outpost software, test your computer again with pcflank; you will see none of the ports are accessible to hackers. I would also recommend Firefox as a browser, you can clear all data from the browser, such as tracking cookies, on exit.

Addendum

Another good firewall is found in the Norton suite. The hacker who has been playing games with me for some time disabled Outpost. Outpost was not the real problem though, it was the lack of security on my router. I left that open to grab him. I know who he is now. But he did disable Outpost, and so I Picked up norton suite and it works just as well. Better in fact. I was hoping to catch him, and I did, and when I closed up the router with a security code, he can't get in. I think he's given up. He's a complete jerk. One of many out there. But the point is..a secured router PSK2 or WEP security and a good firewall such as outpost or Norton, are mandatory these days. I like Norton a little better, as it doe more things. Such as flag dangerous websites, and there's ID protection software in it for very secure operations like logging into your bank. They can't get passwords. They try like hell though. Also, you can get maps of where they attacks come from. What the danger rating is a "level" of the threats and so on. He deposited 4 level five scripts on my computer. But I have him, and he's been reported.

Update. Firewalls help with hackers. But, there are other ways they can get into your system. This person is Rick Kline, he is married to Elaine May Smith of Stonehaven -both have been hacking my system for three years. Firewalls initially kept them out. but he's found a way around my firewalls. encryption on the router doesn't seem to help. He is apparently exploiting vulnerable ports above the 5000 range. If anyone is savy enough to sort how to block him for good, please email me at backbeatone@gmail.com.

The reason Kline and Smith are so dangerous is, they can now generate internet activity using my own Ip. Which means, they can withdraw money from my bank or hack paypal, shut own my website, even hack the hub, he has done that thrice - abd my IP turns up instead of his. He's using my system. read here

Any help on analyzing this would be appreciated. It's people like kline that make the internet ubsafe. He works for irace.com. A gambling company. Smith has a masters in information systems. Both are hackers.