Virus Update

Thank you, Jeremy, for what you tried to do with my computer.

Friday, I took my computer to the Best Buy Geek Squad (they are on call 24 hours a day because none of them can land dates). After running a system check up popped a screen with what exactly was wrong with my computer. The list follows:

Trojan-back-door
Spyware
Addware

On a scale from green good zone to red danger zone my computer was well in the red danger zone (there were no jets taking off from an aircraft carrier). In fact I'm surprised a box didn't pop up that read, "You're screwed. Buy a new computer." While in the process of telling me what my options were about my computer the very cute Geek Squad guy informed me that none of the work done to my computer will be charged hourly (thank goodness for that one). Jointly we sold antispyware and antivirus protection to a wonderful middle aged couple that really needed it.

An hour and a half, a $425 charge and a $600 in-house credit line later I walked out of the place.

Fast forward to today. Yes, I know it's Sunday, but I had this feeling I need to go see what was up with my computer. I asked if it was ready and the other very cute Geek Squad guy told me that he found another virus on it. Okay, that I can handle. His next sentence was thus, "There were also two hackers using your computer but we took them off."

Come again?

"Two?"

"Yep."

"Now does that put me at risk for identity theft?"

"It can."

It was one of those this happens to other people moments. Virus I understand. That is what happens to computers that have no antivirus protections (Allison crosses herself and apologizes to the computer gods). I never thought it would come down to hackers using my computer. Which rises a list of questions that I'm sure the Geek Squad guys won't be able to answer:

What did they do with my computer?
How is this accomplished?
How does someone learn they can do this?
How do they find the computers that are easiest to hack?
Once this is fixed how can I keep this from happening in the future?

It is still sinking in. Not just a hacker, two hackers.

Last summer when I was starting automatic bill pay and pay on-line accounts I thought it was going to be easier. Less stress on my life. Now I'm glad that everytime I went to do it I got this resounding "Allison, this isn't a good idea." Now I know what that was all about.

Why do I always have to learn lessons the hard and expensive way?