Last night, while my mom was in her office, her computer unexpectedly turned on by itself. On the screen, she saw a text box filled with phone numbers, but it disappeared the moment she moved the mouse. She's concerned that someone might have remote access to her computer and is using it to send spam messages. Is this a real possibility? If so, what steps can we take to resolve this issue? If not, what might be happening instead?
4 Answers
If you're really worried, consider wiping the computer and changing any important passwords. It's a drastic measure, but sometimes it's the safest way to ensure no one has access.
For now, it's wise to take some precautions. Unplug the computer from the internet and check for any unfamiliar apps. Pull out the Ethernet cable or disable the WiFi until you can run a solid malware scan just to be safe.
You should definitely check things out. A good first step is to download a tool called UninstallView—it's lightweight and doesn't require installation. It’ll show you everything installed on her PC, including hidden items. If you spot anything suspicious, do a quick search on it or ask here for help.
It's possible someone could be accessing it remotely. If you're up for it, reinstalling Windows and turning off Remote Access can help close any back doors.
That tool sounds super useful! I'm adding it to my bookmarks for future reference.