Tuesday, August 12, 2003
It's no joke. My computer is being hacked and I don't know what to do about it. (Please see August 6th post for reasons I think it is being hacked.) To add to all my other reasons for being suspicious I read today that the Russian hackers like to come in through AOL instant messenger. So that makes me 3 for 3: They like Windows (because they're so vulnerable and Microsoft knows it), fast internet connection and AOL. Here I am come and get me. They did and they have.
Yesterday I found a very helpful site called Gibson Research or I suppose people just call it ShieldsUp for their security test. It's not like a quick scan or something. You are there a while, at least if you want to learn some things. Steve Gibson has come up with some products that he gives away and markets that are unique. The freeware is very interesting. The material about how hackers get in is very specific, well-informed and explained in a manner so that you can understand it without being a computer genius.
ShieldsUp tests Windows' file sharing and common ports vulnerabilities. You can have them test many of the service ports and get specific port information. I learned, for example, that a big problem with Windows (besides lousy security period) is port 135. This is where instant messenger comes in and so do hackers. It's an open port and you can't close it apparently. I read somewhere yesterday that one of the first signs that you're being hacked is that you start getting a bunch of instant messengers popping down. I was getting three at once. It was making me crazy and I couldn't figure out why it was suddenly happening. Now I know at least that I'm just being hacked by a Russian porno ring. Anyhow Steve gives away this program called Shoot the Messenger which I picked up. It at least keeps Windows Messenger in its place. I don't know what to do about all the AOL's that pop up like jack-in-the-boxes.
Needless to say my computer flunked its shields tests in all categories. Thank you McAfee Firewall. Gibson says none of the firewalls stand up though (except the one he is pushing). But still I learned how horribly susceptible to attack Windows is. Microsoft can't get patches and fixes out to every machine fast enough to keep up with the new problems as they develop. Maybe, I'm saying maybe, because I still think Microsoft spies on users, there was some purpose as well to the 16 hotfixes they had to slam on my computer. These things are a mess in terms of security. Go to Gibson's and read what's there and look at his data recovery program SpinRite while you're there. We all might need it one day. I hope not soon.
lSo What Do YOU Think? COMMENTS
Yesterday I found a very helpful site called Gibson Research or I suppose people just call it ShieldsUp for their security test. It's not like a quick scan or something. You are there a while, at least if you want to learn some things. Steve Gibson has come up with some products that he gives away and markets that are unique. The freeware is very interesting. The material about how hackers get in is very specific, well-informed and explained in a manner so that you can understand it without being a computer genius.
ShieldsUp tests Windows' file sharing and common ports vulnerabilities. You can have them test many of the service ports and get specific port information. I learned, for example, that a big problem with Windows (besides lousy security period) is port 135. This is where instant messenger comes in and so do hackers. It's an open port and you can't close it apparently. I read somewhere yesterday that one of the first signs that you're being hacked is that you start getting a bunch of instant messengers popping down. I was getting three at once. It was making me crazy and I couldn't figure out why it was suddenly happening. Now I know at least that I'm just being hacked by a Russian porno ring. Anyhow Steve gives away this program called Shoot the Messenger which I picked up. It at least keeps Windows Messenger in its place. I don't know what to do about all the AOL's that pop up like jack-in-the-boxes.
Needless to say my computer flunked its shields tests in all categories. Thank you McAfee Firewall. Gibson says none of the firewalls stand up though (except the one he is pushing). But still I learned how horribly susceptible to attack Windows is. Microsoft can't get patches and fixes out to every machine fast enough to keep up with the new problems as they develop. Maybe, I'm saying maybe, because I still think Microsoft spies on users, there was some purpose as well to the 16 hotfixes they had to slam on my computer. These things are a mess in terms of security. Go to Gibson's and read what's there and look at his data recovery program SpinRite while you're there. We all might need it one day. I hope not soon.
lSo What Do YOU Think? COMMENTS
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