Thread: Computer Hacked over LAN

  1. #1
    Registered User Puppet Master's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    7

    Computer Hacked over LAN

    Hi,

    So I'm currently living in a dorm at University at the moment. At the dorm, to access the internet, I need to connect up to the University/Dorm LAN. Now on my computer I'm running Windows Vista with Kaspersky Internet Security, plus several anti virus programs (Spybot, Windows Defender).

    What is happening, is that people think that its funny to gain access to my computer (remotely over the LAN), and go around setting my background, homepage etc to various "other" sites.

    My question is: Firstly, how are they doing this? I thought my computer was fairly secure but I guess not. I'm pretty sure they must be using some sort of Remote Administration program to gain access, but I would have thought my firewall (Kaspersky) would have blocked this. Secondly, and more importantly, how would I go about stopping this? Are there any programs that I could use to block access to them with?

    If anyone has any ideas/advice it would be much appreciated.

  2. #2
    Reverse Engineer maxorator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Estonia
    Posts
    2,318
    The definition of internet security - lack of security holes. This means that if someone got into your system, there must be some awful security hole somewhere in your system.

    1. You may have some piece of malware which does that homepage and background tricks.
    2. You may have a backdoor installed into your system.
    3. You may be using software which has severe security holes.
    4. You may have remote desktop manager enabled and someone knows your password

    Without security holes, your machine is inaccessible to others, but remember, they can log your network packets. So the unencrypted information you send and receive is never really secure.
    "The Internet treats censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  3. #3
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    1) Scan for malware and remove.
    2) Shut down services and backdoors that enable access to the system.
    4) If enabled, change your password.

    Check your Firewall, as well, and identify which programs are granted internet access. If unsure, purge the allowed list and re-create rules from trusted apps only.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  4. #4
    Technical Lead QuantumPete's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    894
    Quote Originally Posted by Puppet Master View Post
    What is happening, is that people think that its funny to gain access to my computer (remotely over the LAN), and go around setting my background, homepage etc to various "other" sites.
    Are you sure it's done remotely? Perhaps it's just your flatmates having a laugh when you nip to the toilet or something. We used to do that to a guy who wouldn't lock his screen when he left his computer.

    QuantumPete
    "No-one else has reported this problem, you're either crazy or a liar" - Dogbert Technical Support
    "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" - The IT Crowd

  5. #5
    int x = *((int *) NULL); Cactus_Hugger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Banks of the River Styx
    Posts
    902
    Quote Originally Posted by QuantumPete View Post
    Are you sure it's done remotely? Perhaps it's just your flatmates having a laugh when you nip to the toilet or something. We used to do that to a guy who wouldn't lock his screen when he left his computer.

    QuantumPete
    Exactly the reason I lock whenever I stand up for anything...
    And in Vista, this is really easy to do (finally...): just hit Windows Key + L
    long time; /* know C? */
    Unprecedented performance: Nothing ever ran this slow before.
    Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature.
    Real Programmers confuse Halloween and Christmas, because dec 25 == oct 31.
    The best way to accelerate an IBM is at 9.8 m/s/s.
    recursion (re - cur' - zhun) n. 1. (see recursion)

  6. #6
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Quote Originally Posted by Cactus_Hugger View Post
    And in Vista, this is really easy to do (finally...): just hit Windows Key + L
    This has existed since Windows NT.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  7. #7
    Registered User Puppet Master's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    7
    Hmm, ok thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm doing all the virus/malware/spyware scans right now.

    In regards to being sure that it is a remote attack, I am almost completely positive that it must be because its happened at dinner when my door and windows are all locked, and nobody has a key other than me.

    I think from now on, whenever I leave the room, I will ensure that I do lock my computer as I haven't been doing this, but from the sounds of it this would be a good idea.

    Any other ideas/hints are most welcome.

    Thanks.

  8. #8
    int x = *((int *) NULL); Cactus_Hugger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Banks of the River Styx
    Posts
    902
    This has existed since Windows NT.
    Really? I could've swore Win2k didn't have it. I seem to remember doing a Ctrl+Alt+Del, K then. (Maybe it was logoff that I'm confusing, which I think was Ctrl+Alt+Del, L) I could be wrong.

    I think from now on, whenever I leave the room, I will ensure that I do lock my computer as I haven't been doing this, but from the sounds of it this would be a good idea.
    Just depends how much you trust those around you. Since I'm in college, I lock up.
    long time; /* know C? */
    Unprecedented performance: Nothing ever ran this slow before.
    Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature.
    Real Programmers confuse Halloween and Christmas, because dec 25 == oct 31.
    The best way to accelerate an IBM is at 9.8 m/s/s.
    recursion (re - cur' - zhun) n. 1. (see recursion)

  9. #9
    C++まいる!Cをこわせ!
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Inside my computer
    Posts
    24,654
    Quote Originally Posted by Cactus_Hugger View Post
    Really? I could've swore Win2k didn't have it. I seem to remember doing a Ctrl+Alt+Del, K then. (Maybe it was logoff that I'm confusing, which I think was Ctrl+Alt+Del, L) I could be wrong.
    I mean, the whole lock workstation thing has existed since NT. The shortcut I'm not sure of. However, I do know that it exists in Windows XP, as well (Win+L).
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  10. #10
    Malum in se abachler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    3,195
    it has existed for as long as the windows key. Which IIRC is since Win95/NT 4.0

  11. #11
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    You could also leave wireshark running and then see what's going on the next time you see something amiss.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  12. #12
    Amazingly beautiful user.
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    If you knew I'd have to kill you
    Posts
    254
    Running Windows 2000, I can assure you that "Windows Key L" did not become a shortcut for lock screen until Windows XP. Instead, on previous versions, you must first press "Ctrl+Alt+Del" and then "Alt+K." Not that its a major hassle or anything, just saying, it hasn't been around since 95/NT 4.0.
    Programming Your Mom. http://www.dandongs.com/

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. connecting to a computer inside a LAN
    By hardi in forum Networking/Device Communication
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-25-2006, 04:43 PM
  2. Replies: 34
    Last Post: 02-26-2006, 01:16 PM
  3. Major Computer Problem
    By Olidivera in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 07-15-2005, 11:15 AM
  4. Tabbed Windows with MDI?
    By willc0de4food in forum Windows Programming
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 05-19-2005, 10:58 PM
  5. Computer will not boot.
    By RealityFusion in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 09-10-2004, 04:05 PM