Isn't IT usually only able to do that because there are programs installed on both ends that say "hi! we are two computers that are sometimes allowed to connect"? I have something called DameWare Mini Remote Control installed on my work desktop for that reason. I do not have anything like that installed at home.
Also, even if it were possible to do this with a program only on the hacker's end, I'd think that instead of taking the effort to figure out who I am, track down my IP address etc., a hacker would do better by just entering random IP addresses until he happens upon something juicy. Stalking internet boards for this info just seems stupid.
(Note: I do not have $75,000 in my checking account, so don't worry about me, random hacking stalkers!)
It doesn't have to be on your computer. A hacker can gain remote access with the right program.
FTR, I don't think hackers are trolling message boards hoping to find something juicy.
However, you never know what someone does in their free time. For all you know, I could be a hacker. The point isn't that hackers are trolling on message boards, it's that it's possible to have your account hacked.
I don't think anyone disputed that it is possible to get your account hacked. I certainly think it is possible, and that it happens with some frequency.
I think the part that some of us were disputing is that posting on a message board that you have money is stupid because it opens you up for hacking. Sure, that is *possible* but I don't think it is probable enough to be anything to think about when posting. Particularly for those who keep their real life identities somewhat hidden.
I'd be more concerned about people trying to break into a home based on info found on the internet, and I'm really not at all concerned about that either.
If you haven't had angry posters showing up at your place of employment to harass you about things you've posted here (which would be easy to do because your full name and place of business are easy to figure out in one step from things you've posted here), I think you don't have to worry about checking account hacking.
Well, yes, I completely agree with you re getting hacked from a message board. I don't think that's likely at all.
I'm merely just saying that it's possible to get hacked with several passwords.
Also, ANY person from the internet can show up at my place of employment or my house. I post where I'm at ALL the time. I'm not secretive about my identity online. I often joke that if I'm even murdered the police will know my last location from my Foursquare check in.
ETA - I *dare* someone from GBCN to come and harass me at my place of employment based on something I've said here. Or even for someone to come and say some of whats said to me to my face. That would be WAY more entertaining than a hacker.
I think the likelihood of my money being stolen because I talked about it on here is about the same as my kid being kidnapped because I posted a photo.
No you don't need a program. I was having pc issues once and my friend in Barbados was able to give me his IP address and something else (I'm no computer wizz) and he was able to take control of my pc and fix the issue.
But in that case (as the person whose computer was being entered) had to have certain of HIS (the hacker's) info for him to connect to your computer. You as the potential hacking target had to do something affirmative for him to get in.That leads me to believe that he couldn't have just typed in your IP address and them -- bam! -- he'd be in your computer.
My debit account was drained once two years ago. I was in possession of my card the entire time, and the card was "used" in various stores in California and online, for about $4,000. I was reimbursed by the bank, and all the online purchases were canceled before processing.
They can steal your card's information without stealing your physical card.
People know this, right? That a waiter or an attachment on an ATM or a swapped out PIN pad can steal your card's info and that can then be replicated on a physical card or used online?
Sometimes they use it right away, sometimes they keep it for weeks or months and then use it. This to me is a FAR more likely scenario for what has happened to some of the people that think they've been hacked.
They can steal your card's information without stealing your physical card.
People know this, right? That a waiter or an attachment on an ATM or a swapped out PIN pad can steal your card's info and that can then be replicated on a physical card or used online?
Sometimes they use it right away, sometimes they keep it for weeks or months and then use it. This to me is a FAR more likely scenario for what has happened to some of the people that think they've been hacked.
That has happened to us many times. I always like seeing what they do with it afterwards. Last time was a shopping spree at Western Beef (a discount grocery store) which was kind of disappointing.
It has always been detected by the credit card company before we discovered it, and is always very easily remedied, so I don't see it as a reason for concern.
You don't think this happens on a fairly regular basis? Maybe it's not happening to anyone you know, but banks have whole teams dedicated to this issue.
Cyber hacking is a pretty big business. I've definitely seen specials about it on 60 minutes and 20/20 for example.
I think fraud happens on a regular basis. I think debit card #s , etc. are stolen and accounts accessed that way.
The idea that if I wanted to figure out your info badly enough, I just could, is stupid.
I was specifically discussing account hacking via information that someone found out about you from your online presence (e.g. internet message boards). Not stolen card numbers, or lost checks, etc.
But I COULD. And I'm just an average joe with a computer and too much time on my hands.
For instance, if I was diligent I could go read through all of your response on this message board.
What might I be able to gather from reading that? I might get an idea of your location in the US. I might find out how many siblings you had. Or even what college you attended.
I could find out what type of industry you're in.
If you respond to Polls (and there are a lot of them) I could find out your husband's name, how long you've been married, etc.. People have no idea how much information they give away on a message board like this. Even without realizing it.
From there I might google around and see if I can figure out who you are on Facebook.
If I'm really dedicated I might send you a spam e-mail. You might not be dumb enough to click on the link, but if you are I could have just installed a virus on your machine that tracks key strokes.
Do you see where I'm going with this? And I'm just a person who watches too many procedural and plays to many online video games.
When Sony got hacked my husbands PS3 account was hacked. We woke up one morning and there were over $2000 charged to his credit card. If it had been his debit card he'd entered instead, we would have been SOL.
Hope this helps and is more then just "they'd find a way."
You don't think this happens on a fairly regular basis? Maybe it's not happening to anyone you know, but banks have whole teams dedicated to this issue.
Cyber hacking is a pretty big business. I've definitely seen specials about it on 60 minutes and 20/20 for example.
I think fraud happens on a regular basis. I think debit card #s , etc. are stolen and accounts accessed that way.
The idea that if I wanted to figure out your info badly enough, I just could, is stupid.
I was specifically discussing account hacking via information that someone found out about you from your online presence (e.g. internet message boards). Not stolen card numbers, or lost checks, etc.
No, swizzle, YOU couldn't figure it out that badly if you wanted the info. However, someone who has hacking capabilities could.
I think fraud happens on a regular basis. I think debit card #s , etc. are stolen and accounts accessed that way.
The idea that if I wanted to figure out your info badly enough, I just could, is stupid.
I was specifically discussing account hacking via information that someone found out about you from your online presence (e.g. internet message boards). Not stolen card numbers, or lost checks, etc.
But I COULD. And I'm just an average joe with a computer and too much time on my hands.
For instance, if I was diligent I could go read through all of your response on this message board.
What might I be able to gather from reading that? I might get an idea of your location in the US. I might find out how many siblings you had. Or even what college you attended.
I could find out what type of industry you're in.
If you respond to Polls (and there are a lot of them) I could find out your husband's name, how long you've been married, etc.. People have no idea how much information they give away on a message board like this. Even without realizing it.
From there I might google around and see if I can figure out who you are on Facebook.
If I'm really dedicated I might send you a spam e-mail. You might not be dumb enough to click on the link, but if you are I could have just installed a virus on your machine that tracks key strokes.
Do you see where I'm going with this? And I'm just a person who watches too many procedural and plays to many online video games.
When Sony got hacked my husbands PS3 account was hacked. We woke up one morning and there were over $2000 charged to his credit card. If it had been his debit card he'd entered instead, we would have been SOL.
Hope this helps and is more then just "they'd find a way."