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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5 to 29 of 29. Go back in thread:
Posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 13:05:03
In reply to Re: I need computer help » AdaGrace, posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 12:49:53
Can a comercial spyware program either free or purchased catch a tracker or tracer? We are talking about a program put on my computer that traces all typed messages either through an e-mail (and can figure out the password) or on a chat site, or a message board.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 22, 2004, at 13:46:43
In reply to Re: By the Way » verne, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 13:03:27
> Is a series of 4 numbers two to three digits separated by a dots and URL or IP address?
I think that is an IP address you are referring to.
Good luck with your problem. I wish I could help more.
gg
Posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 15:08:31
In reply to Re: And » verne, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 13:05:03
I think Ad-Aware claims to find tracking programs.
I'm really not that computer savvy. The series of numbers sounds like an IP address.
Could this be a program that was hands-on installed on your computer by someone else? If you press Ctrl/Alt/Delete (at the same time but don't press twice or the computer will reboot) you will be able to see a list of the programs currently running on your computer.
Of course, this one is probably hidden and won't show up. I've heard of tracking cookies which you could take care of by deleting all your temp files and cookies.
I would try spybot and ad-aware in addition to a free scan at a place like cnet.
I wish I could be of more help but I'm out of my depth.
verne
Posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 15:19:43
In reply to Spyware » AdaGrace, posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 15:08:31
> Could this be a program that was hands-on installed on your computer by someone else?>
Most likely yes, or with the IP address laying on my desk at home, it seems even more likely that someone was given my IP address and then downloaded it to my computer from a remote location. I think this is how it was done previously and I was even told that my computer was linked to his to "fix all the bugs in it"
<If you press Ctrl/Alt/Delete (at the same time but don't press twice or the computer will reboot) you will be able to see a list of the programs currently running on your computer.>Yes, but there seems to be lots of things that run and I don't understand what any of them are. I guess I need to just write them all down and go from there.
<Of course, this one is probably hidden and won't show up. I've heard of tracking cookies which you could take care of by deleting all your temp files and cookies.>
> I would try spybot and ad-aware in addition to a free scan at a place like cnet.>> I wish I could be of more help but I'm out of my depth.>
> verne
Thanks Verne, I will try ad-aware as well. I appreciate all your help. What do you think about the new computer? with the IP address given out, won't that be just as easy to infect the new one? Would a fire-wall block it?
AdaGrace
>
>
Posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 15:53:55
In reply to Re: Spyware » verne, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 15:19:43
I have a free Sygate Personal Firewall and I can see that it blocks certain activity on a daily basis. It keeps several logs and allows me to back trace the source of attacks.
IP addresses are easy to get and it shouldn't be a huge security breach for someone else to have it. With the new computer, perhaps you can set the security settings so that everything is password protected - from just using it to changing settings.
I'm not familiar with XP, still using WinME here, but I think XP has alot of built-in security features. You could really tighten up security from the start. And put spybot, spyware blaster, ad-aware, and a firewall on it.
Babblemail me the list of programs that run on your computer if you like, and I might be able to spot the culprit. In my case, I have only 3 programs that run all the time. Systray, Explorer, and something that came with my mouse.
verne
Posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 16:01:00
In reply to Firewall » AdaGrace, posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 15:53:55
Thanks Verne, I'll do that tonight if I can. I think some of the culprits have to do with the printer (start with HP) and some are things from my task bar that are running all the time, and those I need to figure out how to chuck. You're right, I need to boost the security on the new one. I'll be the one to set it up so I'm sure Sunday, I'll be doing that and nothing but.
I appreciate it. By the way, I posted to you on Admin in regards to Tornado Alley and see that you are from up north. I am south of KC, MO. Nice to know someone near. I am familiar with the area you are from, but only through work related experiences. Why do you want out of there?
Ada
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 22, 2004, at 16:01:54
In reply to Re: I need computer help » AdaGrace, posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 12:49:53
Adaware must be the best because I had my puter fixed not long ago the fans were slow and the computer dude told me it might be a good idea to dl adaware....they know their stuff
> I'm using spybot, spyware blaster, and a sygate firewall - all free.
>
> I'm not sure what a tracer is. I found another free program called Ad-Aware from lavasoft that may cover your problem. It's a free download at: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
>
> You could also go to a reputable site like cnet and have your computer scanned for free.
>
> Just be careful what you download. Some spyware sites actually put spyware on the pc and later offer to remove it for a fee.
>
> I've never had any trouble with spybot. I don't have Ad-Aware yet but it seems to get high marks and many use this in addition to spybot.
>
> verne
Posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 16:07:07
In reply to Re: I need computer help » verne, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 22, 2004, at 16:01:54
dl? is that add or delete...I don't want to slow my computer down. That is why I had to take it off the first time I had it.
Posted by verne on December 22, 2004, at 16:17:58
In reply to Re: Firewall » verne, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 16:01:00
I came here as part of the TM movement in the mid 80's and then stayed to be near my daughter. But now that she's on her own, I'm hoping to leave in a couple years.
I prefer living near mountains, lakes, or the ocean. I was born and raised in the Northwest and spent about 5 years on the Oregon Coast. I really miss water and the smell of evergreen trees.
Fish out of water here.
verne
Posted by ghost on December 22, 2004, at 17:05:45
In reply to I need computer help, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 11:06:55
spybot and ad-aware are among the best out there.
i also suggest buying the norton suite that includes a firewall (mcaffee is also good) and setting the security REALLY high. that way you should be able to see EVERYTIME a program tries to access the internet.
from the way you describe it, i wonder if you have a virus or a trojan or a malicious keylogger (although those usually like to remain hidden from view). have you scanned for viruses? there are some websites that will do a webscan for free. Mcaffee and TrendMicro I believe will both do it.
BTW, if you get a firewall running on your computer, it will protect you if anyone knows your IP address. Might be a good approach if you're worried about that. And make sure the computer santa brings has firewall and antivirus software installed, too! (And adaware and spybot!)
lotsa nasties out there. they suck to get rid of.
worst case solution, though? Completely reformat your harddrive, wipe it clean and reinstall with the disks that probably came with your machine. install firewall and virus software before you even connect it to the internet again.
it's a sucky last resort, but it's guaranteed to work.
good luck,
ghost
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 22, 2004, at 17:19:52
In reply to Re: I need computer help » Fallen4MyT, posted by AdaGrace on December 22, 2004, at 16:07:07
I am sorry I am so use to what I call puter speak dk is download he told me to download the adaware program ..
> dl? is that add or delete...I don't want to slow my computer down. That is why I had to take it off the first time I had it.
Posted by Angel Girl on December 23, 2004, at 19:11:16
In reply to Re: I need computer help » AdaGrace, posted by Fallen4MyT on December 22, 2004, at 17:19:52
I have Ad-Aware downloaded on my computer and run in periodically to get rid of the nasties that inhabit uninvited.
Would like to know of something that stops them from setting up camp to begin with. Any advice?
AG
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2004, at 21:00:06
In reply to Re: I need computer help, posted by Angel Girl on December 23, 2004, at 19:11:16
> I have Ad-Aware downloaded on my computer and run in periodically to get rid of the nasties that inhabit uninvited.
>
> Would like to know of something that stops them from setting up camp to begin with. Any advice?
>
> AGThere's a free product known as SpywareGuard that is supposed to block some downloads, but I don't know how good it is.
Lar
Posted by verne on December 23, 2004, at 21:45:37
In reply to Re: I need computer help, posted by Angel Girl on December 23, 2004, at 19:11:16
I'm using SpywareBlaster in addition to SpyBot. I think it's working. I never find any spyware when I check.
verne
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2004, at 22:05:43
In reply to Re: I need computer help » Angel Girl, posted by verne on December 23, 2004, at 21:45:37
> I'm using SpywareBlaster in addition to SpyBot. I think it's working. I never find any spyware when I check.
>
> verneActually, that's the one I was thinking of. I gave the wrong name. I've got Spywareblaster on my maching, and Spybot doesn't find things any more.
Lar
Posted by KaraS on December 24, 2004, at 21:51:51
In reply to Re: I need computer help » verne, posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2004, at 22:05:43
I think AVG for virus scanning is as good as Norton and you can download it for free. The IT guy at the place I work told me about it. He also advised that I get a hard-drive firewall (as opposed to software firewall). The one he recommended was TrendNet (sp?).
I have Ad-Aware but I'm not quite sure what to delete when it brings up it's list after I've run a scan. What it shows me is everything with cookies attached right? Don't I want some of those cookies to stay on my PC? How do I know the difference?
Kara
Posted by Angel Girl on December 28, 2004, at 19:52:59
In reply to Re: I need computer help » verne, posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2004, at 22:05:43
> > I'm using SpywareBlaster in addition to SpyBot. I think it's working. I never find any spyware when I check.
> >
> > verne
>
> Actually, that's the one I was thinking of. I gave the wrong name. I've got Spywareblaster on my maching, and Spybot doesn't find things any more.
>
> Lar
>
>
verne/LarryThanks. I'll look into them both.
AG
Posted by Angel Girl on December 28, 2004, at 19:55:05
In reply to Re: I need computer help, posted by KaraS on December 24, 2004, at 21:51:51
> I think AVG for virus scanning is as good as Norton and you can download it for free. The IT guy at the place I work told me about it. He also advised that I get a hard-drive firewall (as opposed to software firewall). The one he recommended was TrendNet (sp?).
>
> I have Ad-Aware but I'm not quite sure what to delete when it brings up it's list after I've run a scan. What it shows me is everything with cookies attached right? Don't I want some of those cookies to stay on my PC? How do I know the difference?
>
> Kara
>
KaraI use Adaware and I delete everything on the list and have never had a problem for doing so.
AG
Posted by KaraS on December 29, 2004, at 14:18:38
In reply to Re: I need computer help, posted by Angel Girl on December 28, 2004, at 19:55:05
> > I think AVG for virus scanning is as good as Norton and you can download it for free. The IT guy at the place I work told me about it. He also advised that I get a hard-drive firewall (as opposed to software firewall). The one he recommended was TrendNet (sp?).
> >
> > I have Ad-Aware but I'm not quite sure what to delete when it brings up it's list after I've run a scan. What it shows me is everything with cookies attached right? Don't I want some of those cookies to stay on my PC? How do I know the difference?
> >
> > Kara
> >
>
>
> Kara
>
> I use Adaware and I delete everything on the list and have never had a problem for doing so.
>
> AG
AG,Thanks for your response. Once you've deleted everything in the Adaware scanned list did you find that you had to reset your name for posting here or is it still "remembered"?
Kara
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 29, 2004, at 14:35:34
In reply to Re: I need computer help » Angel Girl, posted by KaraS on December 29, 2004, at 14:18:38
> > I use Adaware and I delete everything on the list and have never had a problem for doing so.
> >
> > AG
>
>
> AG,
>
> Thanks for your response. Once you've deleted everything in the Adaware scanned list did you find that you had to reset your name for posting here or is it still "remembered"?
>
> KaraI have always deleted everything Ad-Aware found, and never had a problem of any kind. The Babble cookie is not affected, because it is a "passive" cookie, rather than an "active" one. There's a geek name for this, but I can't remember what it is.
Spybot is out in a new version, and I recommend you get it.
Lar
Posted by Angel Girl on December 29, 2004, at 17:22:22
In reply to Re: I need computer help » Angel Girl, posted by KaraS on December 29, 2004, at 14:18:38
Kara
As Larry said, your profile here or on any other message board will remain intact. The first time I ran Adaware the list was in the hundreds. I freaked out but I deleted it all. After that it only finds a few as long as you run it periodically.
AG
Posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 2:39:01
In reply to Re: I need computer help » KaraS, posted by Larry Hoover on December 29, 2004, at 14:35:34
> > > I use Adaware and I delete everything on the list and have never had a problem for doing so.
> > >
> > > AG
> >
> >
> > AG,
> >
> > Thanks for your response. Once you've deleted everything in the Adaware scanned list did you find that you had to reset your name for posting here or is it still "remembered"?
> >
> > Kara
>
> I have always deleted everything Ad-Aware found, and never had a problem of any kind. The Babble cookie is not affected, because it is a "passive" cookie, rather than an "active" one. There's a geek name for this, but I can't remember what it is.
>
> Spybot is out in a new version, and I recommend you get it.
>
> Lar
>Thanks. I will. Think I'll also check out the other one you mentioned earlier in this thread.
K
Posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 2:41:03
In reply to Re: I need computer help » KaraS, posted by Angel Girl on December 29, 2004, at 17:22:22
> Kara
>
> As Larry said, your profile here or on any other message board will remain intact. The first time I ran Adaware the list was in the hundreds. I freaked out but I deleted it all. After that it only finds a few as long as you run it periodically.
>
> AGThanks again, AG
I'm definitely going to run it soon and delete everything it brings up. (I feel good just thinking about getting rid of all of the cyber garbage!)
K
Posted by Angel Girl on December 31, 2004, at 21:50:08
In reply to Re: I need computer help » Angel Girl, posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 2:41:03
>
> Thanks again, AG
>
> I'm definitely going to run it soon and delete everything it brings up. (I feel good just thinking about getting rid of all of the cyber garbage!)
>
> K
KaraI know what you mean. It irritates me to know that someone is spying on my activity. Not that I'm doing anything illegal or looking at any porn, but I value my privacy a lot.
AG
Posted by KaraS on January 1, 2005, at 14:32:58
In reply to Re: I need computer help » KaraS, posted by Angel Girl on December 31, 2004, at 21:50:08
This is the end of the thread.
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