Topic: Hackers, Viruses, and Sabotage
Or, not. I am not sure; however, a couple of weeks ago I was in the middle of a mundane
operation (removing a shortcut from the desktop) when all applications locked up. As nothing
I did seemed to unlock anything, I turned the computer off using the a switch on the surge
protector, something I have done before and which has worked in restoring functioning. At the time I had no unsaved files or open files. After this, when I attempted to log on, a rapid cycling
of DOS screens ending with one with restarting options, all of which failed to work. Windows did not
boot up completely. It was suggested by an outside party that the problem was a virus, and as it turned out, it was necessary to re-install programs. Files which were lost have not been recovered. Checking with my security system's and other listings, I found viruses and Trojan Horses which could fit the bill, but still I was uncertain. Nothing seemed to really fit.
Needless to say, this was truamatic, but once accepting my role in this, I accepted it, moved on,
and vowed to not be so lax in the future. There are still questions, however!
1: Malicious viruses: are they created by "lone nuts" sometimes, competing software and computer companies, and others, and what are the motives of the various kinds of attackers?
(An interesting subject in light of conspiracy vectors, and linking up with other subject catagories
such as hyper-d as well.)
2:Could it have been a deliberate, personal attack? If so, I don't know why, or what bit of information could have been that sensitive...I don't keep that sort of stuff on the computer. Most of the files, in fact, all of them which I can think of, were various personal notes, writings, and so forth. BUT it could be that for some reason it was decided that my computer should be put out of commission for a time and my files destroyed as a means of creating fear, a warning threat, intimidation...as in "We can
destroy your files at any time." Or they don't want me poking around somewhere? 3: It was a lesson to streamline, wise- up more, eliminate distraction, excess, and unfocused
computer activity in my life (which it did do. I feel like a different, lighter person now. I decided that, whether deliberately sent my way or a general virus-at-large, or something else much worse, or much better, I was going to use this experience to become stronger.)
4: someone with an emotional "revenge" motive, who is a highly skilled hacker who has some bone to pick with me (not likely but can't be ruled out yet. I have had a computer harrassement incident in the past ). Now I run my security software more often, and I've found that sometimes when I log on, I'm alerted that "a program" has altered some of my security settings, and that original settings will be restored now for safety, and that "an attacker may be trying to alter your security settings." My immediate response has been to do a full scan.I know I need to purchase a newer version of this system, as well, which I plan to do soon (if not a new computer!). In the mean time
I thought it would be interesting to ask the group for any ideas, stories, suggestions for future actions, personal experiences with computers, viruses, hackers, attackers, and so forth, in light of this, for me, rather strange experience. How do viruses work? Hackers? Why? Is it possible to steal
someone's files in this manner? What happens to data that is "destroyed"? Is it scrambled beyond hope of reconstruction? Why is it permanently lost, if it is in fact permanently lost? If files are stolen, what is done with them? What are the implications of all this lost data, or data which is captured, in light of TPTB and the MCS?
