Someone 'sent files' from my computer to theirs while at a hot spot...what now?

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araincole

1 post

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 7274 3-Apr-2006 01:36

I was at a hot spot (public library) and got online to check mail...the connection sucked and kept closing down the browser, so I diabled the connection. However around an hour later I noticed that there was this little icon that was popping up saying "sending files to computer" I saw it pop up twice and the third time I just unplugged the computer and shut down. It told me something to the effect of "another computer is logged on, are you sure you want to shut windows down, they may lose their data" Heck yes I want them to lose their data I thought as I pulled the battery out of the computer hoping that would render the hacker helpless. I piled my stuff in my bag and one smart looking high schoolish / college aged kid leaned back in his chair and looked around, looked at me and got all nervous...gotcha. But not really, because what was I going to do? Confront him? Not really...owned!

Oh so here's the deal...I usually use a Mac so I never really have any problems like this. I was using my husband's PC because the Kaplan disks don't run on macs (thanks for looking out for the rest of us Kaplan). So,

1. How can I find out what files were "sent" and how do I protect this computer. I need to be able to take it out and as I stated above, I had disabbled the internet connection. Oh and files sharing was off.

2. What now? do I have to change all the passwords on the computer? could something have been "sent" back to me?

Thanks so much in advance for any help/advice,
Nicole

freitasm

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Reply # 32049 3-Apr-2006 07:37

Are you sure the "File and Printer Sharing" is disabled in the network adapter configuration? If it's disabled then no one can use it to access shared files on your computer.

Also, if you have a user called Administrator, make sure you set a password for it.

And use a firewall software - even the built-in Windows XP SP2 firewall will block this kind of connections (if it's set to not allow File Sharing).

Other than this, no you probably can't find what files were copied (if any).

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Sooner Al

66 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 32144 3-Apr-2006 23:00

To add, on my laptop I always...

1. Have File & Print Sharing DISABLED
2. Have the XP SP2 Windows Firewall ENABLED and configured for Don't allow exceptions

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfsettings.mspx

...even at home. Basically set-it-and-forget-it so to speak. If I need to get a file from one of my desktop PCs while at home I initiate the transfer from the laptop. While on the road I use a VPN connection to my home LAN.

Additional help for the XP SP2 Windows Firewall...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875357

You can do similar things with a third-party firewalls like ZoneAlarm, etc...

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broadbandguy

18 posts

Geek

Reply # 33610 21-Apr-2006 23:56

Yup! naiive user? Hope not!

Hotspots DO work well only if the user understands and apprecites that their Wireless Conversation (AKA Data feed) is an open conversation - its like talking loudly in a cafe...someone will hear you and suck information.

Use a VPN for that - SSL for email etc etc

You wanna be a confidential kinda user and make sure you do as above! keep yourself to yourself in hotspots! don't share anything but a smile with a fellow user (unless you want to do more!)

Cheers!

BBG!