Help! Was I hacked??

[Stompa]

Thanks for your suggestions, and everyone else's help. For reference the post is here: http://www.castlecops.com/p986973-Was_I_hacked.html

I was advised to not get back on the internet at all, change critical passwords, and to reformat my hard drive. :sorcerer:

Run Hijack and store off the log file when your machine is not having issues. When an issue appears, run Hijack again and compare the log files.

Keeping your PC clean requires all three P's, Product (AV/Firewall), Procedures and People. Installing a Product and then ignoring the risks will cause grief. Having a good Product and following good Procedures will screw you if you trust the wrong People.

Always rename the Administrator account on your PC to something else. No sense giving someone half the answer, leaving them only the pw to figure out.

Never leave your PC on the internet when you are not in front of it, do not trust AV/firewall, turnoff the modem or router. (The only really secure PC is one that is powered down and locked in a vault.)

If you use wireless, lock it down tight. It's amazing how people secure everything except wireless access. Encryptions can be broken.

And lastly, protect your IP and Mac address. Stealing MP3's, porn, warez, etc via any form of file sharing is opening yourself to having people know your IP and Mac. If you are going to visit the seedy underbelly of the internet you are signing up for the risk and better do what it takes to keep this kind of crap off your PC. This would include changing your IP and Mac address often (not just spoofing them), Fdisking, etc. Also, be careful of anyone who publishes a web site address and suggests to visit it in real-time. For example, if I were to tell people in a TW chat to come look my web site, I would easily be able to grab their IP addresses. Changing your IP and Mac address properly can be arduous, but it is possible.

[Soilderz]

Avg..or if you want a good anti virus program (with full protection and everything) get f-secure