Preventing keylogging? Are They spying or not?

[Nor'Easter]

I saw the thread on encrypting hard drives, great thread btw. I was wondering if you can tell if they are watching you. Any ways to tell what is normal and what isn't? For instance, keylogging. I have no evidence that I am being keylogged, but anytime I go onlline and especially on a site like this, there seems to be suddenly more air traffic in the sky, espcially when I discuss the possibility of growing. My spywareblaster often keeps going back to 230 unprotected items even though I keep resetting it. I notice funny things on the pages like part of a chat when I visit Dr C's seed site. I don't know if any of it has to do with uTorrent or not.

But if they were keylogging, is there any way to tell and stop it? If the cruisers always seem to follow you around, any way to tell if that is just coincidence or something worse? (this has happened in the past but not lately).

Our water heater needed replacing so decided to go with propane instead of electric. During and for a day after they were here installing things, a black chopper kept circling relentlessly as if we were building a plant to enrich nuclear weapons or something! and the planes were constantly circling low as well. Are they watching me or suspecting I am going to do something just based on that? These couple days since have been quieter but still more air traffic than normal. So question is, what can be done to protect yourself? Are they watching my postings? is there a way to defeat keylogging or at least tell if it is being done? thanks

 

[catman]

Keylogging means there is an application installed on your computer that directly records the inputs of your keyboard. It then can possibly transmit the records to a host.

Do some searches to find grow bust that originated from intercepted web activity that wasn't an act of utter stupidity. I have and I've never been able to find anything myself so that is what comforts me. Seems cliche, but your paranoid!

 

[OC80]

Better safe than sorry, but I think youre being a bit paranoid...

 

[VerdantGreen]

paranoid? - is that what they're saying about me now ?

i think it's probably safer to talk about growing online than it is to talk to your friends about it and have people knowing you grow on your property.

 

[wintermute]

... can tell if they are watching you. Any ways to tell what is normal and what isn't? For instance, keylogging. I have no evidence that I am being keylogged, but anytime I go onlline and especially on a site like this, there seems to be suddenly more air traffic in the sky, espcially when I discuss the possibility of growing. My spywareblaster often keeps going back to 230 unprotected items even though I keep resetting it. I notice funny things on the pages like part of a chat when I visit Dr C's seed site. I don't know if any of it has to do with uTorrent or not.

But if they were keylogging, is there any way to tell and stop it? If the cruisers always seem to follow you around, any way to tell if that is just coincidence or something worse? (this has happened in the past but not lately).

Our water heater needed replacing so decided to go with propane instead of electric. During and for a day after they were here installing things, a black chopper kept circling relentlessly as if we were building a plant to enrich nuclear weapons or something! and the planes were constantly circling low as well. Are they watching me or suspecting I am going to do something just based on that? These couple days since have been quieter but still more air traffic than normal. So question is, what can be done to protect yourself? Are they watching my postings? is there a way to defeat keylogging or at least tell if it is being done? thanks

Do you live in China?
If No, do not be alarmed, you have just smoked too much and got way paranoid!

If Yes in China, gestapo is coming for you! Run!!

BTW: Fix for spyware is to not get malware installed at all! Browse Internets and dangerous places with a Virtual Machine like Virtual Box and VMWare and Parallells and Virtual PC. Discard changes and copy only what you want to keep. Easy!
No quick fix for paranoia or china citizen though...

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

My spywareblaster often keeps going back to 230 unprotected items even though I keep resetting it.

Even if you delete objects with anti malware programs, malware often has code to regenerate after the computer is rebooted. Key loggers are often bundled with software that allows a remote host such as a foreign hacker to take over control of your pc and run scams from it as long as it's powered on. You might get solicited for anti-malware software to supposedly free your computer of malware.

Even if your in hibernation (and in some cases powered off,) a hacker could still gain access if your bios "power on" options are activated and the remote host executes a power on command.

I use Spybot S&D and the "unprotected items" whatever list describes the type of threat, ex trojan, worm, keylogger, etc. I doubt it's the cops but you may have a pc security issue on your hands.

wintermute gave some good tips to avoid malware and here's another good idea. By default, windows sets the first account as administrator, allowing you to set up other accounts and assign access. Browsing under the administrative account type leaves you vulnerable to core system modifications from malware. These changes can be very difficult to delete completely and certain elements or all of the malware could re manifest.

Go to control panel and click User Accounts. Set up an account as "limited" and use that account to browse. If you get malware, core system functions aren't modified (at least according to microshit.) If you can't rid the limited account of the infection, you can simply delete the account in User Accounts.

You probably won't be able to install programs or make system changes in the limited account but you can always log off the limited account if you need administrative rights.

 

[Mr Stinkfist]

A keyloger does not need to be installed in your computer for others to intercept your activity!

There are internet monitoring stations all around the world that pick up key words, intercept communications, place you on a list in terms of threat/risk factor, etc. Not only internet but phone traffic also.

Having said that I don't think they would be overly concerned about growing weed but you never know..

I'm waiting for someone to call me paranoid any minute now, sit back light one up and watch them get fkn owned (lol).

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Paranoia is relative in this day and age, lol. Just to show I too am careful what I type, I won't give an example of statements Mr Stinkfist's mentionables look for. Let's just say it's possible to pinpoint your location if somebody wants to spend the money it takes to find you.

 

[Nor'Easter]

I appreciate comments 2-5, but moreso 6-8. I know I am paranoid, you don't have to tell me that. But let's not overstate it, my level of paranoia I view as a good thing that keeps me on my toes. I used to be a lot worse, let's put it that way. But they were circling like crazy that day, and I hadn't seen a chopper do that in over a year. Mostly, they just fly by quickly once and don't circle, and usually not directly overhead. This was different. Just was wondering what the possible reasons were for that and what I am experiencing with my computer. Paranoia the way it is used here by others seems like a dig or what is the word I am looking for? Like calling Inuits Eskimos and they don't like that shit, that kind of thing. Well the point is, suppose they are keylogging or intercepting or closely watching your internet activity, any way you can stop them or detect them or close any "back doors"? I always assume cruisers, planes, choppers and internet LEO is watching, and try to act accordingly (being as careful as I can be). I know it prob is not the case, but like you say better safe than sorry.

I also like your suggestions intermute, I know nothing about those things but they sound good. peace

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Paranoia isn't bad in itself, more how it makes you feel. Some folks thrive under pressure and sleep like a baby. Others take less chances. You're the judge of whether you're paranoid or not.

I don't know your location but this time of year usually brings aerial observation in higher numbers. At least in my part of the globe.

keylogger - maintain computer security with a firewall and anti-virus program. Keep them updated and avoid internet porn sites, free game sites and anything that sounds too good to be true. Keyloggers through hackers are typically used to get passwords, account numbers and other personal info. Keyloggers from a law enforcement perspective is probably more associated with terrorism and fraud. You'd have to be quite the farmer to show up on that caliber of radar.

Fed-Ex guy - don't worry about him.

 

[Nor'Easter]

thanks man, it seems I have nothing to worry about, that's what I thought but just needed to hear it from someone! peace

 

[wintermute]

Excellent Suggestion - Restricted User Accounts == Awesome!

Excellent Suggestion - Restricted User Accounts == Awesome!

...here's another good idea. By default, windows sets the first account as administrator, allowing you to set up other accounts and assign access. Browsing under the administrative account type leaves you vulnerable to core system modifications from malware. These changes can be very difficult to delete completely and certain elements or all of the malware could re manifest.

Go to control panel and click User Accounts. Set up an account as "limited" and use that account to browse. If you get malware, core system functions aren't modified (at least according to microshit.) If you can't rid the limited account of the infection, you can simply delete the account in User Accounts.

You probably won't be able to install programs or make system changes in the limited account but you can always log off the limited account if you need administrative rights.

I remember reading a statistic that this step alone - not browsing as Administrator - protects you from 90% of the security vulnerabilities in XP. If you browse as restricted user, even a compromised browser or plugin or exe has trouble getting too deep into the system like required for root kits and key loggers. Not a silver bullet, but a big win for little effort!

 

[Nor'Easter]

yes I just realized how excellent it is, THANKS!

 

[wintermute]

...suppose they are keylogging or intercepting or closely watching your internet activity, any way you can stop them or detect them or close any "back doors"? I always assume cruisers, planes, choppers and internet LEO is watching, and try to act accordingly (being as careful as I can be). I know it prob is not the case, but like you say better safe than sorry.

If they are keylogging it depends on how they do it. The software keyloggers are easy to avoid with a Live CD. Burn a KNOPPIX or Ubuntu or Fedora CD-ROM and boot it. Use HTTPS. Be happy!
Sometimes rootkit revealer or anti-spyware will detect these software trojans, even those used by law enforcement but sometimes not. Live CD will ALWAYS get around them though!

The hardware keyloggers they black bag into your box or keyboard special ops style. To my knowledge this has only been done in high level FBI mafia and terrorism cases where encryption was used. You have better chance of getting hit by lightening!

Watching your Internet activity? You need encryption like HTTPS to the site which keeps all the content private. Use an anonymous tunnel or VPN service to hide which sites you are going to directly if they're watching your end of the connection.

If you are on the radar and they only want to confirm your traffic from your computer to the destination site even an anonymous proxy won't help you. Traffic confirmation is easy to do if they are going that far. And if they are going that far you are a terrorist or mafia don and have no business on here anyway!

 

[SDOG]

Holy shit man lay off the sativa. Like honestly you of all people? Our govt has way more important people to keylog and track. You think your the only one who gets the weed chopper over their place? Almost every inch of any state with some sort of drug funding see a chopper above it. Seriously?

You must be fuckin ripped.

Seriously use TOR if your that paranoid.

Here is the more patient response which i fully agree with QFT.

If they are keylogging it depends on how they do it. The software keyloggers are easy to avoid with a Live CD. Burn a KNOPPIX or Ubuntu or Fedora CD-ROM and boot it. Use HTTPS. Be happy!
Sometimes rootkit revealer or anti-spyware will detect these software trojans, even those used by law enforcement but sometimes not. Live CD will ALWAYS get around them though!

The hardware keyloggers they black bag into your box or keyboard special ops style. To my knowledge this has only been done in high level FBI mafia and terrorism cases where encryption was used. You have better chance of getting hit by lightening!

Watching your Internet activity? You need encryption like HTTPS to the site which keeps all the content private. Use an anonymous tunnel or VPN service to hide which sites you are going to directly if they're watching your end of the connection.

If you are on the radar and they only want to confirm your traffic from your computer to the destination site even an anonymous proxy won't help you. Traffic confirmation is easy to do if they are going that far. And if they are going that far you are a terrorist or mafia don and have no business on here anyway!

 

[Nor'Easter]

dude if all you want to do is criticize and do personal attacks, don't say anything. There are others offering real tips on staying safe, a topic only fools would laugh off. Whether someone's too paranoid, just right, or not paranoid enough, they can learn valuable tips here. In fact I am pleasantly surprised by just how helpful people have been here. I figured this thread would see little action and my other one would be hopping with all kinds of valuable tips, boy did I get that ass-backwards! thanks again everyone