The Hackery got hacked – sort of

[twoplanekid]

In the eighties, I opened a computer store in Urbana named the Hackery as a hacker in those times was one who was interested in learning all there was to know about computers. A hacker was search for to provide computer help. Well, times have changed such that I don’t hack and hate to be hacked. Yesterday, my modem from the local internet service experienced a DNS modem hack attack.

I recognized the screen displays on the two home computers as spoofing and so didn’t call the 800 numbers listed on the screen for help. I also didn’t install the fixit program that stated it would correct the problem. As my wife wanted me to fixit now, I call my provider to explain my problem and report what I assumed was a modem hack attack. As it was their equipment, they needed to do the fixing.

This morning a tech supervisor discussed what they did to hopefully stop a recurrence of this type of attack. Please learn about and try to recognize/stop ransomware, spoofing, Trojan horse, virus, worm and other bad things from breaking into your computer system for malicious intent. The human angle/error can be reduced with a little bit of knowledge thus stopping many of the above from accruing.

And yes, these things can and do take place in The Villages as everywhere else on this interconnected world we live in.

[rubicon]

Unless I missing it you do not identifying what on your two screens alerted you to the fact that it was a hacking attempt? You need to talk to guys like me like you would to a 4th grader when discussing computers..... This is spot. See spot run:D

[Nucky]

Unless I missing it you do not identifying what on your two screens alerted you to the fact that it was a hacking attempt? You need to talk to guys like me like you would to a 4th grader when discussing computers..... This is spot. See spot run:D

I am one grade ahead of you rubicon. In the three months we have lived here my Verizon Cell Phone was hacked, shut down while we were in Miami. It was rough to get it fixed up again but I give all the credit to the Samsung, Verizon staffs, they actually worked together on the same phone call with me to resolve the problem. On the second attempt on Nite number 3 of trying we together repaired the problem and recovered all my information.

Next my Bose Companion 5 computer speakers were damaged during a attempted hack while attached to our Windows 10 computer. The repair was only $50 but mailing the unit back to Bose is a real hassle.

The one that takes the cake is after 5 plus years of flawless operation of my beloved Mac desktop computer it got something that to a person with my knowledge looked like a virus. Remotely I gave control over a technician at Bitdefender :eclipsee_gold_cup: where my sister worked and he removed several virus like things and returned me to ship shape.

I am the only one using this computer 99% of the time and do not enter any weirdo sites and I believe I can recognize a fugazy pop up or bad email. I just pass them by and delete them. So after several weeks and a new Protector in place my computing is uneventful again thankfully. I just hope it wasn't from Centurylink because I really like the company. I had internet service during the recent storm, in NJ with Concast that was not a possibility. :pepper2:

[twoplanekid]

Unless I missing it you do not identifying what on your two screens alerted you to the fact that it was a hacking attempt? You need to talk to guys like me like you would to a 4th grader when discussing computers..... This is spot. See spot run:D

As a rule for all home users, I would suggest not calling any 800 numbers that display help messages on your screen nor download any software that claims to fix anything on your computer. Your first call for help should be to your internet provider and then a local computer shop. In The Villages, there are several computer clubs that have members that can help resolve problems.

such as ---> The Villages Computer Club (http://thevillagescomputerclub.com/)
and --> Home | The Villages Apple User Group (http://tvaug.org/)