Convincing the paranoid that their computer isn't being hacked

F4 · Nov 25, 2003

I've already got ZoneAlarm (set on ultra-paranoid mode) as well as a hardware firewall (an SMC router), and Norton Antivirus updated.

I've explained to him several time how these things work, and how I know nobody's hacking into his computer.

Any other suggestions on what I can do to convince this guy that he's safe?

XWRed1 · Nov 25, 2003

What is going on that he thinks someone is hacking him?

Tell him that it is very unusual for someone to expend interactive human effort to hack a specific random person, and that noone cares about hacking him for anything he has.

F4 · Nov 25, 2003

I should try that.....

His computer does do something very odd, but I really don't think it's a hacker, since their's no activity lights blinking on his router when it happens.

Every once in a while in internet explorer, all his background turn white, and his fonts get larger than normal. About fifteen minutes later, with his computer idling, but displaying a loaded webpage, a squeek will come from his computers pc speaker, the page will refresh and everything goes back to normal.

He's convinced this is a hacker taking a screenshot to monitor him. I have no idea what it is, but I'm sure it's not a hacker.

eaglescouter · Nov 25, 2003

show him the shields up test results from grc.com, that may help him feel more secure.

Antillian · Nov 25, 2003

F4 said:
Every once in a while in internet explorer, all his background turn white, and his fonts get larger than normal. About fifteen minutes later, with his computer idling, but displaying a loaded webpage, a squeek will come from his computers pc speaker, the page will refresh and everything goes back to normal.

That's really strange

.

eaglescouter · Nov 25, 2003

Perhaps a defective video card? Might try reseating it.

Antillian · Nov 25, 2003

perhaps

nosilverman · Nov 25, 2003

You may want to check the start up programs to make sure there isnt a prank or somthing simalar installed. Unlikely, but may as well look. You can allways back up and format

XWRed1 · Nov 26, 2003

Reinstall Windows. Scan for viruses.

noble2501 · Nov 26, 2003

Edge him on, make him think that the CIA, FBI and NSA are after him. That's what I would do anyway, this does sound really odd. Did you check to see if there was a mouse eating his videocard?

Just kidding, reformat and reinstall would be the easiest way to go, I think.

adrian nelson · Nov 26, 2003

lol people keep trying to convise me i AM being hacked
i have never had a virus program and belive i currently have a virus

XWRed1 · Nov 27, 2003

Why are they trying to convince you you are being hacked?

Tell them to stop bothering you and babysit their computers before they get hacked.

Zuzzz · Nov 28, 2003

sounds like he might have a worm or something. . losse video card? reseat the cards. . check the windows power settings too. . . . what video card?

itshondo · Nov 28, 2003

Have you checked for spyware or malware? Download both Spybot and AdAware and run scans, you might find some nasties...

It does sound like he has a worm installed so I'd update his virus definitions and run a full scan. My father had 2 nasty viruses and I spent 2 hours on the phone getting that stuff off. He had Norton installed but hadn't updated in a long time, seems the MSN butterfly missed these.

Zone Alarm is a good firewall but Sygate Personal Firewall is a great firewall (IMO) - it's free and lets you monitor all of your traffic, packets.

GRC and sygate have great security checks that test your security externally AND internally.

Good Luck!

F4 · Nov 28, 2003

The video card is on-board, as for the worms and such, I've checked everything I can think of, including updated virus scanners, trojan scanners, manually looking for items in the startup areas, and I can't find anything.

Baltimoron · Nov 28, 2003

If you are running Wxp, turn off system restore and then use your antivirus program. I've heard this has helped to detect some viruses. Also try AVG antivirus software at http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php its free.

bdf24 · Nov 28, 2003

Sounds like a hardware problem to me. I've had some pretty weird stuff happen do to hardware before.
When weird stuff starts happening to me and I cannot figure it out. I'll format and reinstall. That will atleast help you pin it down.

amazon10x · Nov 28, 2003

it sounds like someone is somehow executing a script that does that or your computer is just wacked. i would just reinstall it and start fresh

dcjeffery · Jul 19, 2016

Tell him to inform himself by reading how hackers break into your computer.

Tír na nÓg · Jul 19, 2016

13 years necro?!?

That's a world record, :rofl:

Convincing the paranoid that their computer isn't being hacked

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