by Greg Fike

Created on: September 01, 2009

We have all heard about Hackers. They are these superhuman, unstoppable computer geniuses bent on world domination. The truth is that they are just like you and me. There is something you can do if your computer does get hacked. I'll show you some of the common ways to deal with it and also what you can do as a proactive measure. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If you think that your computer has been hacked and your personal information is compromised, contact your financial insitutions and any other place you may have information entered that can not be lost or used. Its important to do this as soon as possible. Do not contact them using your computer. You need to contact them by phone or visit them locally. Also be prepared to change all your passwords.

The second step is to unplug your computer from your internet connection. If the hacker can not access your computer, they can not use it for illegal purposes. If you have any anti-malware or anti-virus software installed, do a full scan with them. Hackers will usually have a keylogger installed on your computer.

It is advisable to consult with someone who is knowledgeable about PC Security and have them check over your computer. They will probably recommend formatting and reinstalling your Operating System and then make sure it is fully patched. You will need to back up all your documents, taking care to not backup any programs as they could have been compromised. Keep in touch with the person helping you with your computer. In most cases, they can be by your side while you are backing up your files.

After your computer is cleaned, whether by reformatting or in-depth security scans, you need to take proactive steps to keep this from happening again. Install a good anti-virus and anti-malware. Be sure it is setup to do real-time protection. Also invest in either a hardware or software based firewall. Usually the default settings are the best. if you are not sure, check out the forums or customer support for your product for advice.

Hackers use social engineering as one of their tools. They can entice you with special offers or even make it seem like an email came from a friend. Do not let yourself be fooled. If you get an attachment from a friend, contact them and see if they sent an attachment. If you get an email from someone you do not know and it has an attachment, discard the email. There are exceptions to the rule as if you are working at a business. Scan attachments before you open them. Remember, safe internet use can save you a lot of trouble and money.

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