Is there any way to tell if your computer has been accessed

[screembloodymurder]

remotely? I switched service providers yesterday and came home to a screen I barely recognized. When I left, the computer was on and the wireless connected, but the house was empty. When I got back the computer screen was frozen, the task bar was moved, etc.

[ck4829]

1. If you have modern windows

You can press ctrl+alt+delete to see all programs. You can use this to see if there are any programs you don't recognize. That's not for your problem though.

[Squatch]

2. If you haven't done anything wrong, then why do you care?

/Patriot Act

[IM paranoid]

4. I don't want them to find my "Hot Pics of Sheared Sheep" weblink

And besides, it's the principle of the thing, anyway. The principle being, of course, my right to privacy concerning what I read.

[Catherine Vincent]

8. LOL!

[DaveJ]

3. Event Viewer

You can open 'Event Viewer' and look at the logs there, and the time that certain events occurred, and by what user. There may be other logs as well.

Assuming you're using Windows, to get to the event viewer...

Open the Control Panel, Open Administrative Tools, and open Event Viewer.

I'm not much of an expert at these logs and I'm not sure what everything in them means.

Edit: If you're really concerned you might want to save the logs before recent events disappear, and have someone more knowledgeable look at them.

[screembloodymurder]

5. Thanks.

I've got several anonymous users, but I don't know what that means.

[madmusic]

6. Did you switch modems too?

Could be a hardware conflict if you are using a broadband modem and changed devices.

Make sure your monitor plugs are in tight too.

[mcscajun]

7. A few things...

First, You may want to post this query over at the Computer Help & Support Group. Some real wireless gurus over there.

Second, do you have these basic tools of defense loaded on your PC? Don't be insulted, I assume nothing where these safety programs are concerned, no matter who I am asking. :)

Anti-Virus Program: AVG (free)**, McAfee, Norton, Something. :)
Firewall: ZoneAlarm (free)** or one of the majors (*see AV Progams above*) -- you need a firewall program even if you're running Windows XP internal firewall.
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Spyware Blaster
Spybot Search & Destroy

All of these are available at C-Net's www.download.com
**Best in class and FREE to individuals.

Third, is your WEP security enabled? If not, it's like leaving your front door open at home.

Lastly, another valuable program is HijackThis (also available at www.download.com) but this isn't a defensive item; it's a weapon to be used when your browser's been hijacked. Much of the behavior you describe might be attributable to a browser hijack as well. But frankly, I'd start by checking your ISP and your own wireless network security.

[petronius]

9. Isn't a bad idea to run two firewalls?

I had thought that if you're using a 3rd party product, you should turn off Windows Firewall...

[mcscajun]

10. I never have...

I've been running ZoneAlarm Pro for some time now, and it doesn't seem to cause any choke with XP