Weekly released mini-blogs featuring signs you may be hacked and how to fix them.
Your mouse moves between programs and makes selections that appear to be looking for your personal data and your money
If your mouse pointer moves itself and makes selections that work, you’ve definitely been hacked. Mouse pointers can move randomly; usually this would be due to a hardware problem. But if the movements involve making choices that run particular programs, access your personal data, or logon to your online accounts, then malicious humans have control of your computer.
Not as common as some of the other attacks, the hackers break into your computer, wait for it to be idle for a long time (like after midnight), and then use your computer to steal your money. The hackers will log in into bank accounts pretending to be you to transfer money, trade your stocks, and do all sorts of rogue actions – all designed to lighten your wallet.
WHAT TO DO – BEFORE INFECTION
- Make sure your software is completely patched and up to date. Enable automatic update features in your Operating System and software applications.
- Make regular backups.
- In this case, it’s a good idea to have backups stored on an external hard drive or second computer to keep them isolated from threats.
- Do your due diligence and run a complete antivirus scan on your computer
- Looking for unwanted installed programs and toolbars.
- Tell your friends to do the same.
WHAT TO DO – AFTER INFECTION
If your computer “comes alive” one night power off the computer before you lose any information to the hackers. Make sure you unhook it from the network or disable the wireless router and call in IT security profes¬sionals. This is the one time that you’re going to need expert help.
Using another computer you know to be safe, imme¬diately change all of your logon names and passwords. Check your bank account transaction histories, stock accounts, and so on. Consider paying for a credit-monitoring service. If you’ve been a victim of this attack you have to take it seriously!
Frequently your backups are also infected. A complete ground up rebuild of the computer is often the only option you have. Sometimes it is cheaper just to buy a new computer. But if you’ve lost any money, make sure to let the forensics team makes a copy of your data before you discard it. If you’ve suffered a loss, call law enforcement and file a case. You’ll need this information to best recover your real money losses, if any.