I use state-of the art-anti-virus software. I don't open attachments that I am not expecting to be sent. I don't visit dubious websites.
And yet my computer was attacked last night and is paralyzed by a debilitating bit of malware. I feel violated. I feel sick.
And I wonder why nobody has addressed these repeated acts of criminal extortion? People are being robbed of their money and their time every day and yet these wicked perpetrators are allowed to continue unpunished.
It's not like you would have to be a master detective to find them. All you have to do is follow the money.
And there are accomplices that could and should be implicated. The credit card companies and shopping card services that take their cut are not doing all they can to put an end to this madness.
Is there no law enforcement in this area? What is being done? It is an assault against polite society that should not be tolerated.
And I'm sick and tired of it.
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Take a deep breath, it happens to the best of us and you'll work around it Richard. The days of computer police putting a stop to parasite, hitch a ride, crash the hard drive will not end. These are the good old days in the long range scheme of things.
I feel your pain. My daughter had her email account as well as her FB account hacked and the scumbag who did this is wreaking havoc on her life. It is disgusting and makes me want to do away with the whole FB thing. It is sad that there are such evil people out there whose only mission in life is to make other's miserable. I hope your system gets cleaned up soon.
I recently replaced my pc because my laptop was so crippled it wouldn't operate. I took it to be evaluated to see if it could be fixed to be used my son and they told me that it was filled with viruses and malware. I, too, was diligent about using an anti-virus package, regularly updating and carefully evaluating things before I clicked on them.
I am so sorry you are going through this...
Richard....that's everyone's worst nightmare....sorry that happened to you.
Been there, done that, and got the tech bill to prove I paid for it. I picked up something on facebook, and according to my tech this is common and no antivirus software can fight it. After losing a whole afternoon of work, and 65 dollars to the tech...I'm back. It does stink. I wish people would do more productive things with their time. Imagine what a better place this world would be.
Good morning Richard,
I'm so sorry to hear this envasion of your privacy has occurred! Barbara is right it is everyone's nightmare!
I am so sorry it happened to you, Richard! I am loaded up with anti-virus software and the like and I still worry that something will get through. Like you, I can't believe that more can't be done to stop these attacks!
Andrew...
I'm working on a "old-timer" now. It slow on the go, but at least it's working. THX.
Paula...
And nobody does anything about it. Sorry about your daughter, that's terrible. Thanks for the comment,
Holly...
We pay good money for protection, and it doesn't work. Thanks.
Barbara...
It's just so frustrating. Thanks for your concern.
Half the problem is as individuals the people who can do something about it won't.
As far as the money trail,it goes from the credit card companies to fake accounts and around the globe.
You can report it if you wish http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberedletter.htm
Enjoy the day
The days of being protected by virus software and never opening suspicious attachments are over, unfortunately. It just is not that simple anymore. I have started avoiding links on FB, for instance.
Earlier this year, a bug in my virus software caused the software to shut down network and internet connections. This was a major software package that I had subscribed to for years, and the company kept issuing updates that supposedly fixed the problem. After being repeatedly crippled for months by the buggy software that never resolved the problems on my System 7 nearly new computer, I finally uninstalled the package and bought another brand. If the software companies cannot even protect us from themselves, what are the chances they can outsmart the bad guys? Talk about frustrating! You never know where your problems will come from in this cyber-world.
Part of the problem is that a large portion of these attacks come from outside the US and thus are not subject to normal criminal justice attempts.
A better option is to make the financial institutions liable for any loss. You can be certain they will step up security and prosecution efforts if it comes out of their coffers.
It is a pain and a threat to your privacy. They need to lock these guys up and throw away the key!
Kaspersky is the key. If something even has enbedded malware it is recognized and eliminated or not allowed to be opened. I have found it the ONLY thing that works.
This is a nightmare for anyone who has encounteredit. Keeping your anti-virus software as up to date as possible is critical. It got something on my laptop on Christmas Eve. Luckily, IT was able to restore everything for me.
Law enforcement would exist for these crimes if they would produce election prospects.
Enforcement of white collar crime begins at the Department of Justice. These crimes have never been given any priority.
I like Bill #11's idea.
The best defense these days, besides making sure you have a top notch anti-virus, anti malware program is to BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.
I use a Seagate plug and play external drive. At least my data is safe that way.
Richard, I feel your pain. I never click on links from FB, I am so careful. But even then we can get something. I am afraid it will be years before we really crack down, and until something big happens more than once, it will not be given priority.
I never use our home PC, I leave that for my husband. I have nothing on it, I have no files of mine, nothing sensitive, I have certainly never used it for online banking or anything. I avoid that computer like the plague. No matter how much protection I have on it, my husband seems to pick something up. He is always reading Russian sites, and reminds me that English is not his first language so he is innocent if he clicks on the wrong thing.
Yeah... right... I never let him use my laptop to go online, thats for sure.
Joe - What is Kaspersky? I hate this fear we live with too! Good luck, Richard......
Ugh...happened to me a few years ago. Since I switched to Mac about 2 years ago I haven't had any issue, malware, spyware, virus...nothing. Knock on wood.
Bill, I have just uninstalled a spyware program purchased a new one and run a system check...I am vigilant and like you delete without opening anything the least bit suspicious. It cost money and lots of time to do these things that most take for granted.
I'm sorry to hear about this !
It is one reason to consider using a MAC. Knock on wood I seem to be able to the malware attacks since I switched. Only a few programs that don't work on a MAC but most of the common PC ones do without a problem.
It is a pain! I was hacked on FB and started getting emails from FB friends telling me that I had been hacked and what I needed to do to "fix" it. I too, have always been careful about I click on etc. I wish I could come up with the answer!
Richard, I can relate to your situation and quite frankly, it was a frustrating, burdensome task to get back online and in good working order...not to mention the cost! These criminals need to be held accountable!
With MS you always have this possibility no matter how good you are about virus protection...sorry Richard...they just don't give this a high priority & so much comes from hackers in another continent.
RIchard - so sorry to hear. It seems that no matter what is done you are not completely safe. What a nightmare!
Jeff
Featured @ Club Chaos
Richard - and some of the most insidious are the "ransomware" bots that somehow manage to make through all defenses. I run 3 anti-virus programs as well as have a firewall plus other efforts. But there are those out there who are changing their assaults every day.
From my computer geeks friends, the major problem is Microsoft's marriage with Norton. Norton comes on most new computers with a free period, most people continue to just renew the subscription every year. Norton is one of the most ineffectual providers of computer security.
Hi Richard!
I am so sorry about your computer...that is all kinds of wrong! Part of the problem is that a couple of my programs don't work with a strong firewall...ARGH!
I'm with Missy. I purchased a MAC no problems with this kind of thing and they are so easy to use. They are pricey but they don't need to be replaced every 3 years. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
What was it? Hmmmm... I see some of the comments, and as Apple rises, there will be more attacks on them as well. You did all you could... well, you could throw it out the window, and YOU would be the MALware... lol
I think you're right about following the money. Just went through this myself, again. I just hope it's a long time before I have to reload again.
This is why my son swears by Apple/Mac. Not that they can't / don't get hacked, but the numbers are in PC's. And it just bothers me that people are so evil. There are a lot of sick, sick people in the world. If you think about what they will do to a computer, then it's very easy to realize what people do to others. This is indeed, a sick and disturbing universe!
I hate it for you.
The reason for the lack of ability to do anything about much of it is because of where it comes from... or rather, where it is routed through. It might be a dirtbag three streets over, but once the money hits Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Uganda or some other country, the American authorities may not have the cooperation to follow it.
We need some hackers on our side... and then some SERIOUS penalties when they catch people.
Hi Richard, I'm sorry this happened to you. I've never had it happen to me and I've always used PC's. Here on Long Island, we have Cybercops that investigate hackers and other online crimes. Unfortunately, they most likely go after the big boys!
I have anti-virus, anti-identity theft, anti-everything on my computer, and they still tell me I'm not 100% safe.