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From the desk
of Dr. CHERi Love *Hugz*
Cheri
Lately it seems the wildest pasttime has become cracking peoples
computers,
by non-professionals, just for the sake of it.
There are lots of free software out there that makes it very easy
to access
someones computer. The really bad part is that you wont know
you're getting
it on your computer either it comes through someone sending you
an email, or
certain files.
Typically, they send .COM or .EXE files.. but also possible to
include things
in .XLS (MS Excel) or .DOC (MS Word) documents by including malicious
macros
programs within the files. Also, they can embed hacking programs
within other
programs you install... always download from trusted sources.
Some talk is
that it may also be possible to embed programs within certain types
of graphics
programs.. not seen it be true yet, tho.
Also many security holes in InternetExplorer and Netscape versions
that can
allow a hacker to put harmful things on a webpage that allow the
hacker to get
lots of info from your computer or cause your PC to run programs
you didn''t tell
it to. Also keep up-to-date on security problems of your
browser, news reader, or
email reader.
For more information please check out these urls:
http://members.xoom.com/DiamondB/icqhazards.html
http://www.nwinternet.com/~pchelp/bo/bo.html
The hacker or cracker software they attatch to you computer gives
them access to it.
You don't even know you are recieving this stuff. Let me
tell you it does happen.
I was cracked more than once by different people while in Aw.
I recieved the files
that gave them access through ICQ and the one safest way to know
you remove the
software is through the long painful time consuming process of
reformatting hard drive.
Let me just say, I wonder why any cracker would want to put an
average home user to all
this agony and time not to mention the emotional upset this can
have on the victim
What makes people do this, why would anyone want to hack another
persons personal
computer, they dont seem to be looking for anything in particular
but they can sure
cause a lot of trouble. In my case after this occured i had
programs that wouldnt work
right or kept crashing. My sounds stopped. Luckily for me
I had friends who were
wonderful at helping me immediately and told me what to do.
First of all if you find a cracker in your system shut it down
at once, turn it off!
Then you will need to find the source of their entry, the program
they used to access
your computer.
It is a federal offence to crack someone so think before you crack.
You can go to jail
and there are ways to be traced back to being a hacker.
There are also now some programs out that will stop a hacker and
also allert you that you
have one. There are also programs now that will find the
program that gave the access
and remove it.
Some of my information was told to me by a 'Digital Services Consultant"
named Randovich
Have a nice day,
*waves* from CHERi :-)
Anonyma is fighting
cancer -- prayer works -- prayer heals -- and the more ppl that pray the
better it works -- the more it heals -- when you receive this message,
please pray for Anonyma -- please send love and warmth and healing thoughts
to her and to the universe. Thank you.
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