I have been using 1 PC for everything from Grocery Lists to MMOs for a decade and have never been hit with a keylogger or virus. And I spend roughly 12 hours a day online. Housebound is fun, yes?Originally Posted by Jaws5
Proper security and learning what is not trustworthy is a lot cheaper and more effective than a separate computer.
I'll share with you something I wrote a few years ago when someone tried to break into my apartment in the middle of the night because this whole discussion made me think of it. 100% true story.
On Keyloggers and Reality.
Amid all the chaos with the cops here, I couldn't help but laugh when my head went from "oh shit, I'm getting robbed" to "OMG! Keylogged IRL!" The cops must have thought I was either crazy or lying when I had to stifle a giggle. Nervous reactions, hoo-boy.
I didn't think it could happen to me, but it did. At about 1AM EST last Thursday, I was going about my normal Startup processes. I have MakeLatte, Kat's Do Dishes ver 1.0 and BootSHDB2.5 {Super Heinous Death Box 2.5} all set to run at startup.
The latter two had completed their processes when Paranoid Cats Deluxe started giving me error messages about Unknown Users trying to access the system. I quickly launched Speeddial_husband.exe and grabbed Big Fuckin Knife out of my Tools folder and confirmed that Stranger.exe was trying to access Frontdoor using something called JimmyLock.
Luckily I had Frontdoor modded with DeadBolt, so I was able to slam BFK against Frontdoor to lock out write access and prevent the program from executing BreakWindow. I closed Speeddail_Husband.exe and launched CallCops {came with my system when I submitted my Local Resident User Agreement}, which immediatly deployed Broward Sherriff's Office '07 with K9 unit, Aerial Search and Local Perimeter.
Fortunately the only casualty was a Burned Milk error from MakeLatte.
I don't know where I got this keylogger from. My system is always on full lockdown and I don't allow any access from unknown sites. I have RandomVisitor disabled and always use Loner with the Antisocial plugin instead of Incredibly Extroverted. I always delete all junkmail unread.
The only thing I can think of is I have recently been using OpenWindows to help when my guild raids Powerbill. I never had a problem with it before, only now that it has gone from Winter06 to Spring07 build. Not to say that the problem is with OpenWindows, I love the program, but I think there may be an exploit out there somewhere that allows Stranger.exe to try and download when it sees OpenWindows users.
So, be careful. If you're running OpenWindows on a FirstFloor system, you should get the Windows patch for DrawBlinds to prevent unauthorized users from being able to browse your Stuff databases. If you have Secondfloor or higher, there is a highly reduced risk of this exploit, but it's still a good idea to have Deadbolt running at all times and no matter what you run, you should NEVER share your key with anyone except a spouse and maybe your children if they are highly responsible. Always update your Deadbolt with a new key if you are compromised by things like Breakup.
Even if you're using a system as obscure as Boonies or using Loner with Antisocial, you can still be hit. I suppose you could always use Hermit, but that's an awful lot of useability to give up when you could simply apply a little extra security and awareness to what is going on with your current system.
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