privacy violated?

[justwondering]

I downloaded a trial program from a newsgroup a while ago. It was in a .zip or .rar file that was self extracting which contained a .exe file. When the file finished extracting, my internet browser popped open and went to some .to domain web site with cell phone backgrounds and tones.

What could the extraction this program have possibly done?
Could it have scanned my computer's contents?
Could it have sent my computer information(computer name etc) to a 3rd party?

What are the possibilities?

 

[lubo4444]

Well you can try to scan it with a good anti virus program to see if it finds anything. There are many possible things that it could have done but i dont think it really did anything bad...

 

[Triviality]

If you are worried about your privacy in such a way, maybe an IDS software such as a ZoneAlarm product is a good call for you(BTW, they do have a free version). It will tell you if any of the malicious actions you listed happen.

 

[techdude]

IF you are worried about having personal information stolen, disconnect the computer from the Internet and install Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware/Firewall on the computer and do a scan before you reconnect the computer to the Internet.