Internet Hacking; The End Justifying the Means

This has been an interesting thread, to say the least. My computer was hacked and it wasn't nice. In the space of less than 15 minutes, spam was sent from my email addy to 850 people (I don't think I even know 850 other people!). When I got home that night and logged on - surprise. Unable to access the Net. I called the 800 number on my screen to find out what was going on.
Lucky for me, I could prove I was at work at the time this went on and had no computer access. But now this is in my file with my ISP and counts (AGAINST ME!) as an infraction of their TOS.
But did it end there? Nooooo. They did the same thing to everyone in my address book. Then later in the week I received irate e-mail from total strangers. One of them, in particular, gleefully called me a bastard and said he was glad he was able to track me down and report me to my ISP, and he hoped I'd get 25 years in the slammer. That's a laugh - NOT. Especially since my son regularly shakes his head and says the computer company needs to come take my computer away because I am not literate enough to use it! I have no idea what was sent via my computer, but judging from the responses, it must have been pornography. Do I want government intervention? NO.
 
Nancy,
Couple of points to consider. Use an alias. Use a web-based email address when posting anywhere, and reserve you ISP mail address for personal mail between yourself and personal friends, and then only spareingly. Don't list your ICQ contact # ANYWHERE. Lose AOL as a provider, they are target numero uno, go with IBM if you need widespread access in different locations, IBM serves close to the same areas as AOL.
Last but not least, get and use an anti virus program. It sounds like you were hit by a virus, and not a hack. F-Prot is free for individual users, and updates are web based and free the last time I checked.

Forgot. Never post a picture of yourself or family and never release personal information.

[This message has been edited by RAE (edited February 13, 2000).]
 
The correct term for the people who are truly destructive online is "cracker" (criminal+hacker). Hackers have been around since the 50's. The term came from their hacking away at problems (as the term bug came from finding a moth on the memory array of a computer in the early 60's).

It is probably correct to say that the recent DoS attacks were started by stupidly mischievious college kids. I doubt that any Cracker would do anything as heavy-handed AND pointless as flooding a system without any reward.
 
Nancy..
Sounds like you were hit with the Melissa or similar worm virus.

In addition to what RAE noted...do not open/execute any e-mail attachments sent by someone you do not know. Further, do not open any executable attachments unless the sender is known extremely well. Viruses like Melissa and similar can be nestled in those cutesy lil programs folks send around, and they may not be aware that they have been infected.
 
Thank you, Rae and DC for your excellent help. I did learn a hard, but not too costly lesson.
I never have opened any e-mail from those I don't know. I told my son about it (the head shaker!). He advised me to go to mcafee.com and use their free services. Sure enough, there was a virus floating around in the hard drive. I cleaned it up and installed an antivirus shield.
As soon as things get settled and the dust clears, I plan to drop AOl like a hot potato. I am vexed to death with them.
I love these forums because everyone is so willing to help!
 
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