Neighbour Has Hacked Into My Computer.

[Slipper]

I'm in a noise war; loud music etc., with my neighbour who started all this. I live above them and now pump loud bassy music down to them. They have hacked into my computer. I know this because they have sent me an email to me from MY email address!!!

I have a dongle. Does anyone know how they have done this? Would it be through the dongle or the modem-thingy in my computer.

Can anything be done to block this?, as my paid-for-security company's programmes quite obviously don't cover such parochial affairs. I have to do all my banking stuff etc. externally and it is a pain.

I'm doing this from a library so it could be days before I reply.

 

[McHenryB]

Report them to the Police. It's a criminal offence to hack into a computer. But first be sure that you are correct - an email purporting to come from your email address is not proof of hacking.

 

[americanbrian]

Firstly, report them to the police. Hacking is seriously felonious and it should be relatively easy for them to trace it back (unless they are like super-hackers). Next I would back up all your data, format your PC after checking you have all the stuff you want.

Most likely they simply brute forced or guessed your password for your email account. Maybe they bought it from some darknet people or something if any server you ever registered to with that address was hacked in the past.

Anyway, I think calling out the big guys on this is recommended. Also, don't get into a pissing contest. Feuding can lead to all sorts of nastiness. Let it go. Move if it is really bad. Life is too short to waste your time with jerks.

 

[Slipper]

I've told the police, they say they have not done anything wrong until they take money out of my account. I live in Britain, what you say may be true in the US.

I have baited them with porn and heard their responses to it and they have even repeated the noises back to me. They have also put a rectangle on my screen and cheered up at me. They know that I know that they know etc..... they are the loud mouth lot who can't hide anything.

The email had a link in it and when I didn't click it I heard their disappointing expressions that I hadn't.

Hasn't anyone got a clue to how they could have done this? Though they are stupid they have 'friends'.

 

[McHenryB]

No hacking required - you just forge the "From" address in the email. Anyone can do it with very little knowledge. On the other hand, if they really are clever enough to hack your computer, don't mess with them!

 

[ss202sl]

It's pretty easy to spoof an email address. I get email from myself(spammers) all the time.

 

[ImDaBaron]

No hacking required - you just forge the "From" address in the email. Anyone can do it with very little knowledge. On the other hand, if they really are clever enough to hack your computer, don't mess with them!

It's most definitely the former and not the later

 

[McHenryB]

The Computer Misuse Act (1990) makes it an offence subject to a maximum of 12 months in prison (and/or a large fine) to access any computer without authority. I cannot believe that, if you had real proof of hacking, your local Police are unaware of this Act of Parliament.

 

[mbarnes86]

hi

The police are looking at fraud act not computer misuse act.

But they don't have enough staff with the skill to deal with this sort of problem.

It seams the security settings in your modem , router , wireless access point are too low
Your ISP probably has guidance on how to increase it to maximum supported by your wireless dongle

I note you are retaliating by playing loud music
They could get the local authority to seize your hi fi system & prosecute you for deliberate noise nuciance

Call a truce with them would be my recommendation

Regards
Mike Barnes

 

[Hat In The Cat]

There is a type of hacking software called a R.A.T (remote administrative tool) this tool allows you to remotly access any computer. They might be doing this. They also might if brute forced your email password.

I hope this answered all of your questions!

Sincerely,
Hat In The Cat

 

[Willie0]

if you know they did, you can change your pswd and privacy settings.

 

[Slipper]

hi

The police are looking at fraud act not computer misuse act.

But they don't have enough staff with the skill to deal with this sort of problem.

It seams the security settings in your modem , router , wireless access point are too low
Your ISP probably has guidance on how to increase it to maximum supported by your wireless dongle

I note you are retaliating by playing loud music
They could get the local authority to seize your hi fi system & prosecute you for deliberate noise nuciance

Call a truce with them would be my recommendation

Regards
Mike Barnes

Does ISP mean internet service provider? And if so wouldn't that be the company who sold me the dongle?

 

[Slipper]

if you know they did, you can change your pswd and privacy settings.

WillieO

If they know what keys I'm hitting changing passwords is pointless.

Where would I find the privacy settings? I have Wins 7.

 

[i7Baby]

See https/www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/windows7.aspx

 

[curious-mind]

Most of the email services offer a two step protection in which a one time code will be sent to your registered mobile number. This code will be asked when you(or anyone) sign in. This works if your neighbour isn't clever enough to catch that message before it reaches you 😉.
Also, install a powerful firewall and anti-virus. And you can also monitor your incoming and outgoing data packet by install wireshark.
Cheers and wipe that frown off your face

 

[gh0st313]

Ok first things first these are the possible scenarios from best to worse:
1) They spoofed your e-mail adress
2) The hacked your e-mail account
3) They hacked your computer

Now let's assume that they have actually hacked your computer. This scenario on it's own has something like 10 different sub scenarios depending on the tools used (keyloggers, Trojans, RAT, MAN attack, Brute Force, etc...). But they all require a connection at some point between the attacker and the victim. So you can actually fix this.

1) Disconnect the routers/modem's WAN cable if you have one, or if you have a dongle with 3G/4G simply take it from your home computer at put it at a computer far away from you home. (Didn't exactly understood if with dongle you meant 3G/4G or WIFI in which case you either own a router/modem (they used to be different devices but now they are sold as one) or you use a local open WIFI which is a hackers paradise.

2) A) If you have a router/modem access the device using the instructions the device came with (contact the people who sold it to you if needed) check ALL the security settings (change the device default password and user, change the password in the WIFI network and the encryption to something like WPA, WPA2 (never WEP it's really rubbish). If you can't access it at all ask how you can reset it (the is probably a button somewhere)
B) If you have a 3G/4G dongle connected directly to the computer then the problem is elsewhere since they use mobile phone's protocols and hacking them ain't easy at all (plus it is a HUGE criminal offense). Now the dongle uses WIFI to connect to your computer disable it and then perform the steps above.
C) If you have a WIFI dongle and you use a open WIFI (which could be theirs, in which case you are also performing a criminal offense, but nothing compered to hacking) it is time to chip in and get yourself a router/modem and a an internet connection unless you are prepared to learn about VPNs, encryption, etc and still live with the fear every day.

2) Now would be a good time to actually reset your computer just as a precaution (save your files before doing it). This is done because once a Trojan, keylogger or any other kind of malware has been installed, finding them is a pain in the ass even for the best Anti-Virus scanners.

Now if they have hacked your e-mail address but you still can access it just change the password and the auxiliary recovery e-mail address (just in case they changed it to theirs). Probably best to do it at a time you know the are sleeping. I doubt the are monitoring you 24/7, unless they work for the MI6, MI5 or GCHQ. Also it would be a good idea to check if e-mail forwarding has been activated (which means everything you send or receive they do too). Some celebrities found that out the hard way, because it is easy to be done and it is really devious if you think about it.

If they just spoofed your e-mail address nothing to worry about.
I hope this helped. Personally a would completely reformat my machine and burn the e-mail (change all the accounts connected to it to a new one), but i am a fan of security (actually i am kinda paranoid with security because i know the dangers).

 

[On the coast]

It sounds like a simple wi-fi network issue. You call it a dongle, but chances are, it is a wired AND wireless (wi-fi) router. They can get into the wireless side. Routers are not setup with high security. I can guess and get into many, many wireless networks with 000000, 123456, etc. YOU must change the password on your router, perhaps what you call the dongle. Your internet service provider could and likely will help you. It is your equipment and therefore, your responsibility. If not, ask one of your friends. It is relatively easy, but better done the first time with supervision.

 

[Slipper]

It sounds like a simple wi-fi network issue. You call it a dongle, but chances are, it is a wired AND wireless (wi-fi) router. They can get into the wireless side. Routers are not setup with high security. I can guess and get into many, many wireless networks with 000000, 123456, etc. YOU must change the password on your router, perhaps what you call the dongle. Your internet service provider could and likely will help you. It is your equipment and therefore, your responsibility. If not, ask one of your friends. It is relatively easy, but better done the first time with supervision.

No it is a dongle with a sim card. It looks like a usb stick and is put in a usb port. I do not have a router.

So how have they done this?, as they can see what I can see on my computer - anyone?