So, I'm a bit paranoid when it comes to my PC and home internet privacy and security. (and don't even get me started with that EC april fool's prank with hacking joke). So my question is, how do you know if you're being hacked? Cuz recently (as in within the past two months or so), I've been noticing that internet has been slower, and it gets often disconnected, and sometimes it takes more than few minutes to get reconnected with internet. (btw I'm using netgear router that's connected to cable company modem) Also today, when I was doing just random normal day web browsing stuff (EC, facebook, checking mail...etc) and then my anti-virus system thing popped up, saying that "Port Scan has been detected and blocked". And that happened like three times since. So I'm kind of freaking out right now because I'm starting to really fear that someone is hacking either my PC (but unlikely because I use good anti-virus thingy and always use firewall...etc) or hacking IP address (although I don't quite understand how that works). Anyone who is knowledgable in these kinds of stuff, any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PS. would changing my netgear router password help? Also how do I change my IP address? Just wondering...
To change IP just reset your router I have a diff IP every day cos the router gets turned off at night.. But I can't help with anything else..
Change your password if you're really paranoid. Have you downloaded anything from a mysterious source or given out any passwords or anything? Also, run a complex or full virus scan. Finally, if you're super paranoid, everytime you leave take your computer off of the internet connection. It can't get hacked if it's not connected.
Well, not really. I mean I download school courseworks from school website, but other than that, I don't download anything from fishy websites :s I have already run a full virus scan and so far nothing. But that doesn't really quell my paranoia ;; As I said before, I feel like it's more like my IP address or router being hacked or being attempted to be hacked. I googled port scan and apparently it's kind of like hackers "knocking on the doors" of other people's vulnerable wireless internet ports (whatever that is) so that they can do malicious things :x I'm not sure if I'm being all crazy and freaked out over minor thing, or if I'm right to be concerned..... Argh
Porn sites are pretty commonly infested with viruses. To avoid this, i get my porn from blogs by people with really good taste =P
haha i know what you mean, pseudojim... xD But the thing is, I figure that if I have good anti-virus and double firewall (windows and anti-virus) then there shouldn't be much problem. but yea i agree that some porn sites are just wayy too fishy and virus-prone ---------- Post added 27th Apr 2011 at 09:43 PM ---------- I did the WPA2 security thingy? that's like a wireless network password, right? Other than that, I really don't know what else I could do for router security as far as I know, but I'm not exactly knowledgable in these kinds of stuff, so fill me in if you know something else I could do. Oh, and just now, after getting all freaked out over port scan messages, I went to netgear website and disabled the broadcast signal of my router. Apparently it's safer that way, because you are not signaling or 'advertising' the presence of your wifi...(???)
i don't want to fuel your paranoia but you would be amazed how many new viruses are programmed every day, and how easily these new viruses bypass virus scanners.
WPA2 is supposed to be the strongest. WEP is the weakest. So your security is top of the line. It's good that you disabled that. It makes it harder for people to find your signal. I know you can also set it up so that, if you have a Mac, it's Mac ID (unique to your computer found on the bottom of your computer I think). But I don't know if other computers have something similar.
:s see that's what scares me about internet in general. you never really know what's going on when you're using internet.... alright that's good. also i just turned on my other laptop, and it wouldn't connect to the internet. I was like WTF. And then I went to network center and apparently because I disabled the broadcasting signal, my laptop couldn't locate it automatically without me manually selecting the network. So I guess that means other stupid hackers out there will have harder time trying to crack into my network (!)(!) Thanks for the responses by the way ))
Of course! Just helping out a fellow ECer! Oh and make a password for you wireless network. That'll make it even harder for the hackers because they don't know you or what you would use for a password.
hold on, isn't WPA2 same thing as setting up password for the wireless network? Either way, I do have WPA2 and also password for my wifi so I'm all good Although I still don't understand why internet is slower and gets disconnected often.....
I've been using a crappy free virus scanner on this computer for 6 years and haven't had a single problem, it still runs like a dream with the original hardware. just avoid dodgy sites and you will be absolutely fine, that's the only place you will find viruses. I also avoid microsoft applications. Outlook and internet explorer are particularly bad. I use chrome, i've heard good things about firefox. if you absolutely must use microsoft office, it's good to know that there is an open source alternative called OpenOffice which will allow you to do the same stuff, in some cases with even better functionality. oh!!! and torrents. Never, ever, ever use torrents, no matter what client you use.
haha thanks! I use chrome as well, because internet explorer is wayyy too slow, and as you said, the security isn't so good.
Try using Malewarebytes along with your antivirus and do a full scan with it each week. I introduced this free software to 2 friends and 1 noticed an improvement in his pc after the first scan and removal of what it found while the other found over 350 things on his pc which his antivirus didnt pick up. I use it on a weekly basis and personally haven't had no problems with it.
