Someone has hacked my DU account

[TK421]

My Yahoo e-mail and WAYN accounts have also been compromised.

Apparently, someone was on here pretending to be me and insulted several DU'ers. It looks like it happened Saturday (?)

I have been getting a TON of spam sent to my e-mail address, so if I have anyone on here who is on WAYN or MySpace, please be patient with me while I straighten out that mess. I'll be in touch with you soon enough.

I'll need to contact the admins for a new password, but for some reason Outlook Express is freezing up when I try to use it, so I may have a nasty virus on this computer. Does anyone here know if I can contact them otherwise? I appreciate it in advance.

Yes- this IS me, now

[Lex]

1. I hate it when that happens.

nt

[TK421]

23. Nobody has ever hacked my DU account before

MySpace, yes...but not DU

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. You don't have to contact the admins.

Click the "options" link, then "change my password."

[TK421]

3. Thanks

:thumbsup:

[mvd]

4. ALWAYS change your password in cases like these

Make sure to make it a hard to guess one. Then, do a virus scan. These AVs are free:

http://www.grisoft.com/
http://www.avast.com/
http://www.free-av.com/

I use the Premium version of AntiVir that's in the Suite.

You can contact admin to see if they will take those posts you mentioned off your record, if the posts were deleted.

[TK421]

5. Thank you for the links

Some of the posts were still there. I'm so mad about this, I'm actually shaking.

[supernova]

6. I wondered if you had flipped out

or something on Sat. It definitely didn't "sound" like you.

[TK421]

8. It wasn't, and I just changed my password

:thumbsup: Now, I have to straighten out the WAYN account :( Not fun...not fun at all. I just added three people to that one, and one of them was my brother who lives in Germany.

[mvd]

14. You're welcome

Hope everything gets worked out.

[TK421]

24. My Microsoft Outlook just isn't working, so what other way is there to

contact the admins about this?

It's kind of weird, but when I try to type something, the entire screen freezes up and nothing happens

:shrug:

[tjwmason]

7. Goodness

Sounds bad - why would anybody want to hack a D.U. account?

Hope that you get everything sorted quickly :hug:

[TK421]

9. I had this happen before with MySpace, and someone was sending

spam to all of my friends ( something about free Playstations ). I think these people just do it for kicks. Good to see you! :D

[Akoto]

10. Some measures you should take ...

Unless you're aware of exactly how it happened, you need to consider that you might have spyware or a virus in your computer. If that's the case, the person on the other end will just be able to see any new passwords you choose.

I suggest downloading and running the following programs:

Spybot S&D: http://www.safer-networking.org

AVG Antivirus: http://free.grisoft.com

Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Make sure that you update each program before you scan. They have buttons which allow you to do so within the programs.

If you don't have one, you should also look into getting a firewall, which helps to block hacking attempts. You can buy these at the store or online. I'd recommend ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonealarm.com

Hope this helps!

[TK421]

11. I've heard lots of good things about AVG, so I'll give them a try

Norton doesn't seem to be doing a darn thing, but I know something is there.- thanks

[CottonBear]

13. I run all three of those programs several times a week. I update every time.

I second your recommendation.

[TK421]

22. I've always thought that Adaware was a good thing, and I DID have it for

a while, but one of my roommates saw that I had it and recommended that I get rid of it because it was, as he put it, out-dated.

I did...but I will re-install it, for certain

Spybot, I am not too fond of...I found things through Yahoo Anti-Spy before that Spybot didn't pick up on. Yahoo Anti-Spy seems to find lots of stuff.

I think I will be all right now

[Akoto]

26. Well, the thing is ...

No one scanner will detect every problem. That's why you use multiple scanners if you're really serious about rooting everything out. I telecommute, so I have to keep my system particularly clean. :)

[lildreamer316]

40. STRONGLY Second ALL these!!

I have had myspace problems too, but these keep them to a minimum; and the only password that was stolen was husbands; 'cause he logged in from work and their computer did not block as well as AVG!! So go figure.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

12. Kick.

[ReadTomPaine]

15. I knew something was abnormal

I'm one of the people who took the account user to task for the misogyny and hostility posted in the "Dating Sucks" thread and elsewhere. It's good to see this claimed explanation - the other possibilities were considerably less pleasant.

Since you have multiple accounts getting hacked, I'd be careful to make sure the system itself isn't compromised and sending your keystrokes elsewhere. There are only a few ways someone outside your home can gain access to this information multiple times and they all involve having your computer acting on the behalf of someone other than yourself. That system needs to be locked down and checked for everything from rootkit hidden exploits to common variety viruses.

In the meantime, disconnect your computer from the internet and any local networks unless you absolutely require internet access - even then I'd consider using another system at home assuming they haven't also been compromised - if they are connected it's possible. You have no idea whats being sent out and to whom it's going. Alert your system admin at work as well. Any work systems to which you've brought software or certain types of data files could have been compromised depending on the nature of the exploit, the level of network security where you work and the diligence of your local IT staff.

What a mess. Now that you are aware of this problem, any future account hacks are your responsibility. Just as a person should be aware not to drive a car that's unsafe for the road, you should not use a computer that's unsafe for the 'net.

[TK421]

16. I'll have to have someone fix this mess, since I don't know much

about computers ( I think I lack the patience for it ) I know of someone who can look for and find problems within the system; it just so happens that this person owes me a favor or two.

As I mentioned above, I have Norton AntiVirus software and have performed a full-system scan. It hasn't found anything, so I will try the above links to other antivirus programs.

[ReadTomPaine]

18. In the meantime, you really should be avoiding the internet. That means DU as well as of course.

Any accounts whose passwords you change now will just be hacked again the moment whomever has access to your system decides to use that backdoor or review your keystrokes etc. Since whatever you're using is ineffective (viruses can hide from scans behind a rootkit) you really shouldn't be online right now, posting this or anything else, until you get this fixed - not just planned to be fixed.

Good intentions won't prevent the next hack or deplorable lack of decorum. Only active measures will, and the first is to disconnect that network cable until the matter is completely resolved. Do it.

[TK421]

20. I guess you're right about that

Later, everyone! I'll be back as soon as possible :thumbsup:

[TK421]

21. I have found something called Trojan.Vundo and three Trojan horses

as well as a shit load of spy ware in this computer.

The scan just finished about an hour ago, so I thought I would let you know that is has been cleaned out.

Thanks for the recommendations; I DO have Spy bot on here, but it never really seems to work like it should..either that, or I just don't know what I should be looking for.

Keep in mind that I am someone who hates ( and does not trust ) computers. I don't pay ANY bills online because I don't want someone to gain access to my checking account. I snail-mail any credit card payments. I'm a firm believer that sometimes old-fashioned is the best way.

I think everything is cool, now.

[Rabrrrrrr]

17. It was R2D2 - you should have inspected the Falcon a little closer,

and not gotten beaten up.

:silly:

Seriously, though, I'm sorry to hear it - that totally sucks.

Good luck getting the shit fixed!

[TK421]

19. LOL....

"Hey down there..could you give us a hand with this"?

I knew you could throw a joke in there somewhere! :rofl:

[Rabrrrrrr]

35. I mean, seriously, how could you have fallen for that line?

You're a Stormtrooper, for Palpatine's sake. Let the maintenance scanning fucks do their own work.

But, don't worry - it was just a small, understandable mistake. Don't let the fact that it was the sole cause leading to the destruction of a Death Star and a million or so lives get in the way of you enjoying your day, sharing a few beers with your mates and laughing.

:hi:

I'm glad I could provide a little levity!

[TK421]

36. TK421 isn't a soldier who lets the deaths of 4000 of his fellow troopers

get him down! That is what Yuengling lager is for, for fuck's sake!!!!!


YUENGLING LAGER- DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!


And my FUCKING photobucket account is not accepting my password for some reason, otherwise I would post a picture of a Yuengling!

[Rabrrrrrr]

37. It's funny (sad, actually) how, no matter how much you try, you still defy my definition of a human.

Just sayin'.


:rofl:

Not really - you are one of my favorite people on DU. :yourock:

(though as a Stormtrooper, and therefore a clone, I suppose you really aren't, technically, a human - you're a clone)

[Omphaloskepsis]

25. Sorry about calling you a "total dick."

[TK421]

28. Hah! Did you? Then you weren't really calling me a total dick!

But thank you for the response, because I'm many things, but "total dick" certainly is not one of them. :toast:

Sorry about this whole mess...as I mentioned in the above post, however...it should be all well and good now.

There is one Trojan that seems to be giving me a problem, according to the person here who I have working on it. Something about cleaning out my registry keys. Don't know what THAT means, but I'll let him deal with it....he's the nerd, after all. ( he just punched me in the arm for that )

[Kali]

27. I put a heads-up post in the DU computer forum

for you (I don't think you can post in there without a star) - maybe one of those great folks will come chime in on this thread - and when you get a chance donate to the site (even $5) and you can learn tons of stuff in there.

That all sounds scary - get rid of Norton, I do know that and use the other programs they recommend instead.

[TK421]

29. Thank you so much for doing this..

geez, that was really nice of you to do that. I'll check out the forum.

I have donated in the past, and I am planning on sending something to DU soon. There has been so much going on in my life lately that I have overlooked some other things. Life has a way of doing that to you, you know?

Again..my thanks :D

[BlueJazz]

30. You mean you didn't borrow $500.00 from me on Saturday?

Great...Just Great

[TK421]

31. Wa...what?

Shit! Sorry dude, but I just pissed it down the toilet!

You won't be seeing it anytime soon, I'm afraid! My bank account ( and YOURS ) is quite safe, I'm certain. But I'm afraid this is going to take some time to fix, mainly with the people who were logged onto here that night ( or day )? I thought I saw a post for Sunday morning, as well. Most of this is still under "my posts" but the thread itself has been deleted, thankfully.

By the way, do you happen to have $500.00 you could spare? I'll pay you back, I swear! It would make at least one of my creditors shut up for a while? :7

[TK421]

32. Yeah...just kidding! I don't need $500.00..

How about $1000.00? ;(

[Aristus]

33. That's because you WEREN'T AT YOUR POST!!!

Sorry, TK421, I couldn't resist. I'm sorry this happened to you; hope it didn't cause too much damage. Is there someone you can alert at Yahoo and WAYN (whatever that is)?

[TK421]

34. WAYN stands for Where Are You Now? kind of like MySpace

It's actually very good...I have a brother in Germany who has sent pictures from his trips to the Swiss Alps and such, and it seems to be more secure ( no bullshit spam when you first log onto it ).

However, he received messages that were not from me, but I have fixed that. It's a good site, really.

I've acquired a second Yahoo! e-mail address with some filters I didn't have before. This is mainly for friends and family, and I am in the process of changing my password since the problem seems to have been solved. ( check your P.M )

If you are on MySpace...sorry, but I haven't even touched that one yet because that site is absolutely HOPELESS. EVERY TIME I log in I get spam or some crap like that.

I'm really sorry this whole thing happened, but I really want to address that to the people who were logged on that night. I hope it works...I have read some of the posts that were made, and it's making me sick.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

38. Does anyone else...

Have access to your account on your computer? There is a reason I ask.

You might also try AVG Anti-Spyware. A very nice bit of software. My favorite.

[krispos42]

39. If you were in a public WiFi, that might have done it as well

I think those sites are not as secure as your home WiFi. Somebody might have stolen your "cookies" from your computer. It wouldn't give them your password directly, but it would give them access to your account until they were logged out if they copied those cookied to their own computer.

This would explain why you could change your password on the DU: they didn't have the old one to allow the change!

Or, if you have WiFi at home, make sure your connection is encrypted.

[DarkTirade]

41. Ha! I was right!

Most people just assumed you were drunk or something. :P I thought it was a bit too concise for drunken rambling though, so I guessed hacked password.

[Jamastiene]

42. ...

:bounce: