Hey everyone! I've been feeling kind of uneasy about my computer's security lately. The other night after I closed my browser, I noticed a random Windows box pop up asking for my password because I was supposedly accessing sensitive info. I thought it was weird but didn't think much of it. Then, just last night, I found out that a video of a private nature was playing in the background without my knowledge, and it seemed fully played through. Plus, my mouse has been acting glitchy and sometimes appears to do its own thing.
I'm really starting to worry if someone could actually be accessing my PC remotely without me knowing, especially while I'm just watching TV. I've done some work to investigate on my own: I checked Task Manager for anything strange, looked at NETPLWIZ for other accounts, checked Event Viewer for any unexpected applications running, and even ran a full scan with Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool. I'd like to think I know a thing or two about tech, but I'm not an expert. Any advice or insights would be super helpful!
4 Answers
Make sure to turn off Remote Desktop in your settings. Also, check the user accounts on your PC and remove any that don’t look familiar, but don’t touch any system accounts!
It's also a good idea to scan for malware—if your antivirus finds anything, make sure to remove it. Staying vigilant is key!
You should immediately disconnect from your network for safety. Then perform a clean installation of your operating system and format all your drives to be sure. Also, remember to change all your passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Definitely agree! Taking these precautions can really help put your mind at ease.
If it’s a work computer, definitely involve your IT or Security team to look into this. They might have the tools to dig deeper into logs for any suspicious activity. If it’s personal, consider doing a full wipe and reinstalling the operating system. Unless you’re skilled in malware detection, you might not find any sophisticated threats, so it might be better to reset everything and start fresh.
That sounds like a solid plan! It’s probably the safest route to take.
Yeah, even if it seems like a hassle, cleaning everything is often the best way to ensure your security.
Great tip! It’s so important to secure your accounts after such a scare.