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Can you help me with a computer question??
Posted on: 2009-08-09 03:10:42]
Explanation: am currently under surveillance, which includes a strong hacking of my computer. What kind of evidence can I sccumulate to prove an illegal hacking is being done on my computer system?? Currently my keyboard is constantly remapped, depending on which security agency is doing the hacking. My windows vista is compromised and sends the windows problem reporting file out and unauthorized copies of my Word documents are saved in peculiar ways which never happened before, and the pulldown/popup menus now list multiple versions of, for example, Microsoft Word, when in fact there is obviously only one version of Word loaded on a personal computer. I have other examples, but wonder how many different methods of proving someone is hacking your system, specificlly a government representative, it takes to actuall prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that combined in authenticity, can show in a court of law that an illegal surveillance is in progress. Any advice??? thank you for your consideration. Signed, perfectly Clueless in Europe and seeking for answers :)
Answer: First of all, I would advice you to have a look on the Wikipedia article describing in a very good synthetic way the different types of surveillance able to be performed on your computer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_surveillance). The symptoms you are describing can either come from a spyware, trojan or virus, be performed by a private company or, you are right, in some cases by a government agency to check your activities. The way you can prevent such issue depends on the type of surveillance, and also the country where you are living. You have to start with the idea that it is a malware, trojan or virus, and you need to increase dramatically your computer security with tools like firewall and antivirus (professional version of course and not free software or light version). Not to skip this first step will be very important if you have to deal with investigators later. If you are not improving the situation this way, the surveillance could be related to a private company or a government agency. Because laws about computer privacy are different in each country, you have to adapt your strategy to the local law and local government services offered to prevent these issues. One of the first question I would ask myself is the reason why a private company or a government agency would like to perform such surveillance on my computer. Are you related to a at risk company or job, are you foreigner, do you work under a security clearance? If you feel you are part of a big mistake, that you are far from any kind of risky or suspicious activities and you are wrongly included in a panel of people under surveillance, my advice would be to contact a local government agency first to report such bizarre computer behavior. Be careful, before doing so, increase anyway your computer protection to be sure you are not contacting them for nothing. The FBI offers for example a website to file a complaint at http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx . Because you really do not know who is putting you under surveillance, the smartest way to act is to work on this with a local governement agency. If you are spyed by a private company for malicious purpose, you can help to catch them. If you are under a government surveillance, to work with an agency like FBI will stop this or will give you an explaination of why they are performing this on your computer. Finally, to go in court like you suggested is always possible, but you have first to be able to present accurate reports and clear proof. To work with a local governement agency to identify clearly who is putting you under surveillance will give you the best elements to go in court and to win. Last thing, try not to be too paranoiac, there is so many bad behavior in the today computer world that the chance a government agency is putting you under surveillance is vey low. Good luck
