Stalking self-help

Your Computer Has Been "Hacked"

If you do believe that your computer has been remotely accessed, it is imperative that you take the following precautions before initiating any further steps to break contact with your stalker.

First, ensure that you have a reputable virus-detection program installed, and activated, on your machine. It should be configured to scan ALL files, including incoming e-mail, and should be updated to include the LATEST virus-definition files.

Once this has been accomplished, initiate a FULL scan of your system to include ALL files on each fixed drive.

Some of the more common infections include Back Orifice, Sub Seven and NetBus. If contamination is indicated, follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding how to "clean" your system.

Secondly, you may also want to consider also installing a commercial "firewall" program to prevent outside access to your system while online.

While there are many such programs available nowadays, both Norton and McAfee offer Internet protection suites that include both virus detection and firewall protection at a moderate cost.

Installing and configuring these programs correctly will require, at least, average computer skills. If you do not feel comfortable in taking these actions, take your machine to a knowledgeable friend or local computer service center for installation and checkout.

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