Sorry about your loss...I'm not too keen on responding to these kinds of things, but I feel I should chime in here and say a few things based on what I've seen.
I did some mini-research just now because this sparked some interest - mind you, computer security/hacking isn't what I'm normally interested in.
Don't count on any anti-virus/anti-malware software to detect a keylogger with much confidence - keyloggers can be very complex programs that go undetected if the implementation is unique and unthought of.
That being said, it is suffice to say that you should not rely on the fact that AVG or whateverAVsoftwareyouname not detecting anything to make your conclusion that your computer is clean. A guildie of mine was hacked a few months ago...at first he claimed that his computers were as clean as whistles...and then discovered a week later that he indeed had a keylogger.
Some things in computer science is not concrete and well-established - and computer security is one of them, mainly because earlier designs of software, hardware, and internet protocols did not have security in mind - so things are more or less being patched/researched on a regular basis - much like how the hackers of this game always go back and forth with Nexon.
You're a pretty cautious person from what I remember of you, so I won't say much in terms of social engineering. Your best bet is to wipe your computer clean and start off on a clean slate. Lastly, also be wary of the connections you make with people - both in game and in real life. I believe your guild (Villains, unless that's changed) does not have a very good reputation on our server (which is heavily hacker infested), if I may say. That gives more people more reason to hate you/your guild/making you a target - increasing your chances of such things. I don't mean to offend...but do be careful/wary of that. =\
Also, I should note here: if I were a hacker and were to hack people's MapleStory accounts through keylogging/exploiting email, I would not DARE to touch their sensitive personal information such as school, banking, etc. Why? Because those are CLEAR grounds of imprisonment and huge fines if caught...while what does the FBI/court/judge (or even the victim) care if someone lost their online-game account?
And of course, there is indeed the possibility of a database security-breach, in which case there's not much we as players can do...and even warning everyone of such a possibility isn't going to do us much good (except to those who buy equip locks). In the end, you gotta be able to either let it go and move on, accepting that this is a game after all, or be overwhelmed by the dc hacking/cyber-molesters/account hackers...
Uh, I'm not entirely sure how to re-format my computer without screwing something up.
And I know the reputation of my guild, but the bonds I've formed with the members are irreplaceable. People need to realize that a guild doesn't make the person, ie. Just because there are some people who can be asses, myself included, doesn't mean we're all that way. I'm generally one of the nicer ones.
And you're right, I'm sure they wouldn't touch any of our personal info other than Maplestory, but if I remember right we've had this happen before and I don't want to take any chances with my parents' assets.
I'm also perfectly fine letting go; the last bit of that paragraph sounded a little like an attack to my character, but I don't think you meant it that way.
If there are any programs you can suggest that I could scan my computer with to detect possible key loggers, or how exactly I go about "re-formatting," I'd appreciate it.
I should have looked at the links you provided. Ignore.
Panacea Wrote:Uh, I'm not entirely sure how to re-format my computer without screwing something up.
And I know the reputation of my guild, but the bonds I've formed with the members are irreplaceable. People need to realize that a guild doesn't make the person, ie. Just because there are some people who can be asses, myself included, doesn't mean we're all that way. I'm generally one of the nicer ones.
And you're right, I'm sure they would touch any of our personal info other than Maplestory, but if I remember right we've had this happen before and I don't want to take any chances with my parents' assets.
I'm also perfectly fine letting go; the last bit of that paragraph sounded a little like an attack to my character, but I don't think you meant it that way.
If there are any programs you can suggest that I could scan my computer with to detect possible key loggers, or how exactly I go about "re-formatting," I'd appreciate it.
If I ever mean to attack, I'd say it outright explicitly.
Spoiler
I can't say much about AVs since I personally don't trust them anyway and haven't used one for years now (I generally only use the comp for Facebook (no apps or clicking on any link other than YouTube/scholarly sites), email, chatting, and research nowadays - on a Linux OS).
In terms of formatting, you should be able to easily understand if I explain the idea of partitioning to you.
If you were to buy a brand new hard disk...you can think of it as an empty house - no bathrooms, no stairs, no closet...only the outer walls - that limit how big it is and how much stuff (data) you can put in it. Since people in real life generally want walls and their own rooms to organize things and keep things separate...we, well, build walls and rooms. lol Each room you make can be thought of as a partition, which is a segment/portion of the entire house (hard disk) itself.
Now, you and your mother might have very different tastes in how you would organize things/put things around the rooms (partitions), so you each have a unique way to yourself. This is analogous to data formatting. Data is written to each partition on the hard drive in certain ways (formats).
On Windows, you may specify a format of a drive (partition...denoted by drive letter: (e.g. C) by going to My Computer, right clicking on the drive, and selecting format. File System is best left as NTFS, allocation unit sizedefault, volume label is the "name" you want to give to that drive, for easier identification. Usually, a quick format would suffice - and would destroy all the data on the drive (not really, but you may think of it this way for starters). You may do this for all drives where Windows is not installed on - because Windows would not allow you to erase itself while it's running.
For the partition that Windows is installed on (C: usually), you may wipe that using a Windows installation disk or any other disk utility - launched by restarting your computer, before Windows boots up (might require you to press some key or configuring something called BIOS to allow booting from CD/DVD). The Windows setup (from a Windows 7 DVD, for example) disk utility is quite easy to use if you understand my explanation of partitions and formats above. Note that if you wipe the partition where Windows is installed on, you would need to reinstall Windows. This might seem to be a large turn-off, but this is actually the main point of doing a reformat. Usually, viruses, trojans, etc. attach to system processes (stuff native to Windows itself...I'm not talking about your music, etc.), so the most effective way to get rid of them would be to wipe the location in which they reside.
Since this would mean that you would need to reinstall Windows and everything else...antivirus programs exist for that reason to try to wipe out the infections without the need for you to wipe everything else. But you can't ever guarantee that the antivirus does a complete and thorough job at cleaning...so that's why I recommend a format if you're REALLY concerned about this.
Be warned though, since a formatting/partitioning through the Windows setup utility would destroy your data on those partitions that are deleted/formatted, you would need to copy your personal files (meaning...documents, music, movies, etc.) on those partitions elsewhere prior to doing a format.
Installed programs are usually located in C:\Program Files, and usually, those are better re-installed altogether after reinstallation of Windows (so don't copy those) due to other complications.
It's quite a hassle if you've never done it before...and you might not need to if you are able to eventually isolate the cause of your hacking as being independent of your computer. But this would be the safest thing to do.
However I already went to the second site you linked and tried a program, but my current AV software detected what it says were trojans, while the program says they're not. So I think I'll just leave it as is and resort to formatting.
@Above,
Open your Maplestory folder and double-click on "Gamelauncher".
However I already went to the second site you linked and tried a program, but my current AV software detected what it says were trojans, while the program says they're not. So I think I'll just leave it as is and resort to formatting.
@Above,
Open your Maplestory folder and double-click on "Gamelauncher".
No no no, the 2nd site I sent you are hosts of such key-loggers (for personal use). That was just to show you that there ARE professional programs out there designed to try to get by your regular antivirus softwares (I was trying to illustrate the point that people are constantly designing new keyloggers/spywares, and that your AV might not pick up on all of them as a result).
I learned that firewalls provide better security than antiviruses. The reason is ok sure if you get a virus it will mess your computer. But it will be done locally... only on your computer. Nothing will go out if you are smart enough to check "every" process which asks for internet acces. That way data cant leave your computer so not much can be harmed.
The inbuild windows firewall only detects incoming traffic (connection to your computer) but it doesnt check what connects outside. Little better firewalls (i use comodo - someone said it before already) lets you monitor all your traffic which runs on computer. And if any new program needs internet connection you will get popup. Even if some program changes other program you will get popup (normally happens during patches so you have option its a patch and it goes through nicley). Its little annoying to set everything at start but its not too bad.
Antiviruses are generally good even microsoft one is good. Just need to have regular updating and active scan + weekly scheduled scan.
And in my opinion getting keylogger is REALLY hard if you are half computer literate. You would have to run it on your computer since chrome has own sandbox for runing aplications.
About that theory of wireless packet sniffers. It actually is possible. From a ss crazymaikon posted few month ago you can see that there are quite a nice dollars from selling mesos/accounts/whatever. And all the student in complex needs is to have run laptop somewhere and let traffic through it. It really takes maybe 1 day to figure out what programs to use and how to set it. And then after you just wait. If you have few thousand students there is chance few will play maple. And since nexon website is complete poop when it comes to security they have easy acces to everything.
I would say this theory is more plausable than keylogger one.
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