How to Know Your Computer Has Been Hacked

Viral infections do not cause your computer to crash anymore. They keep you computer busy in the background while your computer is working so you do not realize anything is wrong. A key logger program attaches to your system, so they can log your keystrokes when you type your password or credit card numbers when purchasing or paying bills online. They also will use your computer for a server to mail out spam, which you may not know unless your Internet service disables your service until you call in.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Do you have pop-up ads that won't stop or go away? If you say, yes, then you may have been hacked.

Step 2

Is your computer continually slowing down? If you say, yes, then you may have been hacked.

Step 3

Are you being redirected to other websites unintentionally? Or are search results showing things you didn't type into the search bar? If you say, yes, then you may have been hacked.

Step 4

Does that sound like you are part of a joke? Well, it is not a very funny one! But it could be you've been hacked with programs sneaking into your system in the background. At this point, if you said, yes, to any or all of them, then you have been hacked.

Step 5

Now what to do about it? Fight back! It is your computer not a hackers paradise, so take it back.

* Make sure your anti-virus program is installed and up-to-date. AVG has a free edition online or you can get their trial version. There are many other programs online and you can get them at download.com for a trial period. Run the virus program and spybot if you have it.

Step 6

How do I know what information has been taken?

1 It is very hard to tell what has been taken. Not every infection steals your data. Some just serve unwanted ads.
2. Others reroute your search result to alternate Web sites you don't want to see. Others log your every keystroke.
3. The anti-virus vendors have extensive databases about what the known infections do and don't do. Check with them to see what kind of damage may have been done to your machine.

Tips & Warnings

• 
  
  If this doesn't work you will need to reformat your computer but be sure to save your documents, photos and videos before cleaning up your computer.
  
• 
  
  You can get professional help with your computer at a cost.
  
• 
  
  Make sure you clean out your temporary files and cookies regulary. (See my link below.)
  
• 
  
  If you think you've had information stolen do not go online again until it is fixed. You can easily lose your identity to a hacker, lose money in your bank, and that's only the beginning.
  

How to Create a Boot Image From a CD

Creating a disc image from a boot CD is a good way to back up your operating system recovery data in case of computer failure. This image can be stored on another computer, another flash drive, or burned onto a blank CD. It will contain all the data on the original CD so that you can boot from it in case of operating system problems. Two of the best choices for doing this are the popular Nero software and the free ISO Recorder, but most CD burning programs will allow you to create an image.

Instructions

Creating a Boot Image with Nero

Step 1

Insert the original boot CD into your disc drive.

Step 2

Download and install Nero if you have not done so already. The full version costs $59.99. For a free alternative, see the section labeled "Creating a Boot Image with ISO Recorder."

Step 3

Open Nero's SmartStart Wizard and select "Nero Express."

Step 4

Click the tab marked "Copy Entire Disc."

Step 5

Select the drive containing the CD in the next window under "Read From." This will likely be selected automatically, but you should double-check just to be safe.

Step 6

Select "Image Recorder" where it says "Write To." This tells Nero you are not copying the CD to another disc, but instead copying the data to an image file.

Step 7

Click "Copy" and select the location to which you wish to save your image. Be sure to add the image extension ".iso" to ensure later compatibility.

Creating a Boot Image with ISO Recorder

Step 1

Insert your original boot CD into your disc drive.

Step 2

Download and install ISO Recorder. This installs the application, but also inputs several new menu items into Windows Explorer to make simple basic commands like burning discs and creating disc images.

Step 3

Open "My Computer" from your desktop and right-click the CD drive containing the original boot disc. Select "Copy CD to Image File."

Step 4

Choose where you would like to save the image file. Be sure to add the image ".iso" extension to ensure compatibility.

Step 5

Close the progress window when the process completes.

Tips & Warnings

• 
  
  A PC cannot boot from a disc image itself since to access the image file Windows needs to already be running. So while an image file is an ideal way to store the booting data, if Windows is not starting you will have to burn the image to a CD and boot from there.

How to Check RAM Type Using Win XP

RAM (random access memory) refers to the total amount of memory on your computer. Memory enables your computer to read and write data. Memory is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), with a gigabyte being a much larger unit. The more memory your computer has, the faster your computer is able to read and write data. Many programs and applications require certain amounts of RAM in order to function, so it is important to find out how much RAM is on your computer

Instructions

Step 1

Close all open programs and right-click "My Computer" on the desktop. If you do not see My Computer on the desktop, click the "Start" menu and right-click "My Computer." Scroll down the pop-up menu and click "Properties" to launch the System Properties dialog box.

Step 2

Click the "General" tab. You should see information about your computer under "Computer." The amount of RAM on your computer displayed in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). For example, 512 MB or 2 GB of RAM.

Step 3

Click "OK" to close the System Properties dialog box when you finish.

How to Check RAM Type Using Win XP

RAM (random access memory) refers to the total amount of memory on your computer. Memory enables your computer to read and write data. Memory is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), with a gigabyte being a much larger unit. The more memory your computer has, the faster your computer is able to read and write data. Many programs and applications require certain amounts of RAM in order to function, so it is important to find out how much RAM is on your computer.

Instructions

 

Step 1

 

Close all open programs and right-click "My Computer" on the desktop. If you do not see My Computer on the desktop, click the "Start" menu and right-click "My Computer." Scroll down the pop-up menu and click "Properties" to launch the System Properties dialog box.

Step 2

 

Click the "General" tab. You should see information about your computer under "Computer." The amount of RAM on your computer displayed in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). For example, 512 MB or 2 GB of RAM.

Step 3

 

Click "OK" to close the System Properties dialog box when you finish.