Hacked?
Telstra ADSL Broadband was working OK with my limited 500MB download when all of a sudden it went beserk with treble and quadruple useage. This has left me with about $900.00 in excess download bills.
As my patterns didn’t change the only thought was, I was getting hacked and used. When I reached this conclussion I checked Explore and found a series of blue folders and files that, to the best of my knowledge I had not initiated.
I’m trying to develop a case to go to Telstra’a Ombusdman as I don’t think I should be charged for useage that I neither initiated nor authorized.
The doubtful files.
Any help from my IT advantaged readers.
Any help from my IT advantaged readers.
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Kev
It may be that you had automatic XP update set on. This would have downloaded and installed any updates required by XP without your knowledge.
Murph
Yep. You’re right. SO this is not my answer. It is just that I hadn’t seen it before and my suspicious nature made me think hacker. I’m still left with the hacker problem though.
Those blue files should be just compressed files, I believe.
Wait until you get your telephone bill and find out if there are any overseas calls on it. In brief there is a virus/trojan that allows a hacker to use your account. Cant remember its name, but have seen it before on another mates computer.
I would question your service provider first. They may be able to track it for you.
Kev
The blue folders are Windows Update folders. They are used to remove unwanted updates. I doubt that you have been hacked. Some windows updates I’ve downloaded have been about .5Gb.
Murph,
You get the prize. After I posted that comment I check with my local nerd who told me the update folders story. So beside being embarrassed I still can’t explain the quadrupling of my downloads. Never mind. I mean how presumptious was I to think I could win a case with Telstra anyway.
I’ll just pay up and shut up.
Kev, I assume you have a fully up-to-date virus checker like Norton, Vet etc. (I’ve always used Vet); you should run a FULL scan of all files on all drives as a start.
You should also have Sbybot Search & Destroy (www.spybot.info) and AdAware (www.lavasoft.de) and also perform complete scans of your system with these at least once a week.
I’ve used virus & spyware prog’s for yonks and never had a problem in 20 years computing (touch wood!).
Jim
Been where you are, Kevin. Telstra don’t really give a fig, they just want their money. If you have been hacked, and it happens more often than people realise, Telstra can provide you with the data. However, they’ll simply tell you to report the offence to the police who’ll huff & puff at the paperwork required for the NIL result they know they’ll get. You’re right….in the longer run, it’s a lost cause.
If you have been hacked, and it happens more often than people realise…
Tinfoil hat alert.
Seriously Kev. Go to the Windows control panel and set your Windows automatic update options to prompt you before download. Otherwise the updates will download whatever Microsoft has published without you even knowing.
Also, make sure that your account has a password – anything other than nothing will do. Web Spiders (automated hacking programs) will try and exploit your computer if you have no password.
Thats approxametly 6 GB extra on your plan Kev. From a fresh in install its less then 200 megabytes from Windows Update.
So I don’t think its that nor do I think its a dial up trojen like Nemises said because those type of trojens need a separate direct connection and would show up on your phone bill not your ADSL plan.
If it was a hacker then its not Telstra responsibility. But 6 GB is a lot and Telstra have had troubles in the past with there software so keep pressing them to find out how you got it.