My Computer has been Compromised, Again

That’s a log file.

What it means: there’s something in my laptop, that’s regularly taking screenshots of both my desktop, and login screen.

See the last entry, Saturday at midnight? Wasn’t even home, laptop had been closed for hours. Figure that one out.

Considering how careful I am, well, good to know I attract the best. I guess.

I can pretty much guarantee you will never again see a log like this.

If you want to see what’s happening inside your Mac, go > Applications > Utilities > Console

Logs for everything are found there.

 

 

Leave it With Me Guys

Not feeling right today, fell asleep on my desk earlier, and just wrote the same sentence for minutes straight. Been fighting a fever for about a year now, some days it wins more than others, like now.

I think it’s stress. Because the higher I advance in the game, the mores stalkers I accumulate.  I’m currently tracking 7 different streams.

In the past 48 hours:

– my blog has sustained a a brute force attack, and something’s wrong with it now, because when I logged in from my phone it said the database was missing;

– my cel phone account password has been changed (shows who I call, text, uh-huh);

– someone’s trying to lure me into the country via a Craigslist ad.

That’s just the highlight reel, I’ve got 8 years of these stories. 4-star US generals friending me on Skype. A POF account created to my unpublished email, with 25 private messages sent from the same guy. Then, when it bleeds into real life….

Basically, someone(s) has a file with my name on it, and dedicates their time to screwing with my life. And there’s a good chance that someone has embedded themselves into my life as a friend, when they are the polar opposite.

This marks the 1st time I’ve ever blogged about it.

I never say anything, because why, what are you going to do about it? Nothing can be done. Eat the PTSD, move forward. It’s starting to get to me though. Took 8 years though, not bad eh. But I don’t think it’s good for a girl to be this tough.

Shutting it down. Here come the nightmares. Once I woke myself up screaming, “stop triangulating me!” ha, eloquent and precise, even under duress. Night.

 

 

Stop Downloads from Automatically Opening

In your internet browser preferences, look for the option, “open files automatically after downloading” and make sure it is OFF.

This is a Safari example.

There are no “safe files”.

Opening a file is what unleashes the problems.

Those problems (malware, virus, trojan horse, whatever) can be hidden within a photo, text document, music file, and especially a PDF.

The Attack:

Visit a webpage > a file is downloaded without your consent > that box is checked > file opens > computer is compromised

The Defence:

Any service that allows you to download a file, should have this setting OFF.  Skype, chat program, email program…

Therefore, even if the file downloads automatically, you can then delete it from the downloads folder, without opening it.

An Example:

Found this executable in my Downloads folder.

Don’t recognize it, wasn’t me who downloaded it, go over to Google.

1 it’s a application used to remotely access my desktop
2 from any computer using just a web browser.

So, if I had the box above checked, then the application would have been installed, and the attacker would have gained access to my laptop.

It was a persistent threat, 3 attempts were made.

Someone was quite curious to see what I was up to.

Here, I’m going to suck all the fun and challenge out of it.

I’m really into the Kardashians these days; am considering moving away from downtown; been designing jewellery, specifically bracelets; I’ve developed a bad pattern of buying shoes late at night; and added a few twerking moves to my dance routine, just 8 bars though, any more would be gauche.

 

 

Cleaned up a Compromise

Took all day. It was a big one this round: 3 computers, 2 phones, and I had to completely replace my router.

Another breach. All this security nonsense I blog is not without consequence.

Files go missing, my calendar is altered, a 4-star American General friends me on an unpublished Skype account, a fake POF account created to an email I haven’t posted online, my webcam turns on by itself, I am terrified of March 19th. That’s not even the highlight reel.

It frequently bleeds into my real life, too… my credit card has been compromised so often, the bank no longer blinks. I haven’t banked online since 2008. The mail I receive is wacked. Ever wonder why you no longer see me wearing a Bluetooth headset? And what’s the thing about Bluetooth? That its range is 30 feet. Think that through.

For sure I’m more organized and prepared for this than you, and still, to clean up took 9 hours focused like a laser beam.

What’s your plan is this happens to you,
what’s your disaster strategy?

Where are your backup(s) located? Copy of your passwords? Your contacts? Time is of the essence in these situations, can’t be looking around, hunting and gathering files. Your palms will be sweaty, and your mind scattered, scared, and prone to making mistakes. Prepare and practice your strategy.

And despite all those hours, that doesn’t include re-building my phone. Right now, the only way you can reach me, is if you have my phone number.

I am living your nightmares. Please go change your passwords, so it’s not for not.

This is a good password: (jO&X[NG}a[1rL];@jBmc@Ij$ TTY Monday.