Firewall advice

[Mark461]

An ex-mate has admitted hacking into my computer so I bought Norton Firewall and Anti Virus to protect myself (I also connect to live update each week). Since the hacking attack I have upgraded to broadband. My pc runs on Windows 98se.

I have recently been told by a colleague that if the hacker was successful at breaking into my computer before Norton was installed, they create a hole that Norton cannot cover.

Is this true and if so, how can I overcome it?

Occasionally my pc tower makes noises when it is left idle. Is someone hacking or is it the fan kicking in?

I am thinking about changing my computer in the next 12 months. Any tips that can guarntee freedom from an old hacker.

I've looked at previous threads about obscure passwords but I'm not sure when to use them. I just press cancel to log onto windows.

I now use a hotmail address as I think it's safer.

I'm fairly computer illerate so please avoid jargon when replying.

Thanks

 

[Praetor]

My pc runs on Windows 98se.

\
Thats not gonna help you

Is this true and if so, how can I overcome it?

Definitely true. Depending on the skill of your 'buddy' you might be able to do a virus/spy scan in safemode while not online and that should be decent.... personally, nothing short of a reformat would be good for me

Occasionally my pc tower makes noises when it is left idle. Is someone hacking or is it the fan kicking in?

Depends on whether those are fan noises or not or whether you have Defrag to autokick in during idle etc

I've looked at previous threads about obscure passwords but I'm not sure when to use them. I just press cancel to log onto windows.

Yeah like I said, Windows98 isnt gonna help ya.

I now use a hotmail address as I think it's safer.

Not much safer if (s)he has a keystroke recorder planted

 

[aqsg72]

The safest thing you can do is format and do a completely fresh install, get your antivirus and firewall on and updated, and keep them so. If there's the possibility of a keylogger then there's nothing you can do to keep your passwords safe anyway, and while everything could be cleared off by AV you don't want to overlook this possibility you mentioned that it might not be detectable or has 'created a hole that Norton cannot cover'.