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Suspect my fiance of lying about visited websites?
A week ago, I found a bunch of visits to racy sites and other sites on my fiance's history file on his computer (not the drop down address history, the history folder). All of these visits were under "sites visited last week". He immediately denied it, and took his computer in to get it looked at. Today, this is the explanation he had for me regarding how those sites came to be in his history.
I got the computer back today. He said it had several remote access trojans which not only gave several users access to my files but enabled them to send spam emails from my computer ( which apparently they did, after he checked my sent list) may have reconfigured some settings and to use my computer to go to the sites in question. There were also a couple keylogging viruses which allowed then to record any keystrokes made.
Programs could be run in the background in a separate window which would not show up on screen but at the bottom as a minimized bar. I don't use multiple screens, so this was news to me.There was also a virus to turn on and off a webcam without me knowing it but since I don't have one, that was not a problem. He wiped everything and reinstalled Windows XP as a fix.
Is this even remotely plausible? I want to believe him. Please help.
joe53
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January 4th, 2007 22:00
bweed6
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January 5th, 2007 15:00
txtchr
274 Posts
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January 6th, 2007 00:00
If you're needing to check the history folder of your future partner's computer, though, I suspect that there's more to worry about here than potential malware that he may have picked up. I'd visit a pre-marriage counselor as well as the computer repair shop. Otherwise you'll be checking that history folder for however long you manage to stay married.
Message Edited by txtchr on 01-05-200708:12 PM
mombodog
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January 6th, 2007 03:00
davejohn
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January 6th, 2007 10:00
dwaynelukas1
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January 6th, 2007 21:00
SpotCheckBilly
932 Posts
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January 7th, 2007 00:00
However, if he was infected by RAT's (Remote Access Trojans) and/or key loggers installed, reformatting/reinstalling his OS is only part of the fix. He needs to do the following IMMEDIATELY:
From a different computer, one that has never been connected to his laptop, he needs to go to any site where he does financial activity (online banking, credit cards, online merchants, etc.) and change ALL OF HIS PASSWORDS/PASSCODES. For safety's sake, you should do the same.
If he has no antivirus software installed: AV software is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL in today's digital world. AVG makes an excellent FREE antivirus client, as do AntiVir and avast!. There are also many "pay-for" programs such as Norton, McAfee and NOD32.
Here are some tips, to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future, I strongly recommend installing the following applications:
- Spywareblaster => SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed.
- Spywareguard => SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
- How to use Ad-Aware to remove Spyware => If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Ad-Aware.
- How to use Spybot to remove Spyware => If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Spybot. Similar to Ad-Aware, I strongly recommend both to catch most spyware
To protect yourself further:- IE/Spyad => IE/Spyad places over 5000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
- MVPS Hosts file => The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer.
- Google Toolbar => Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
- Use a Firewall => I can not stress enough how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. For an excellent article on Firewalls, why you should use one and a some of those available, see Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls. I recommend ZoneAlarm or Sunbelts Kerio. ZoneAlarm is more user-friendly, but Sunbelts Kerio is considered more secure.
- UPDATE!-UPDATE!-UPDATE! => This is, without a doubt, THE MOST IMPORTANT element in keeping your computer free of malware. Keep each and every one of your anti-malware tools AND Windows up-to-date with all current definitions and patches.
I also suggest that you delete your temporary files by deleting all files and folders that are in those folders (do not delete the temp folder itself), for example:- C:\WINDOWS\Temp\--->Everything After the \.
- C:\Temp\--->Everything After the \.
- C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\--->Everything After the \.
- Repeat for all users.
Also delete your Temporary Internet Files and cookies:- Click Start=>Control Panel=>Internet options.
- Under the Generaltab.
- Click Delete Files button.
- Place a check-mark in Delete all off-line content.
- Click OK
- Click Delete Cookies
- Click OK=>OK
- Exit Control Panel
- Repeat for all users.
In Firefox:- Click Tools=>Options=>Privacy icon.
- Click Cache tab.
- Click Clear Cache button.
- Click Cookies tab.
- Click Clear Cookies Now button.
- Click OK
- Repeat for all users.
Empty the recycle bin:- Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
- Select "Empty Recycle Bin".
- Repeat forall users.
Note: You can also do the above steps using a program such as CCleaner.PLEASE NOTE: The above steps should be done on a regular basis.
Also, please see: So how did I get infected in the first place?
Unfortunately, the Internet has become a dangerous place. Putting protection in place is really the only way to remain (relatively) safe.
Good luck. :smileyhappy:
SpotCheckBilly
ChrisRLG
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January 8th, 2007 10:00