am i being hacked???

:) 768 MB is plenty RAM.

Mozilla is a Browser that is more secure than Internet Explorer.
Use Mozilla NOT IE.

Have you updated security patches??
Have you used the online scanners??
Have you gone to blackviper??

You can get Mozilla here

Mozilla is a browser. I think this is the first time I've heard someone suggest not downloading Mozilla. I use it on both my Linux and Windows XP installations. Works nice. :) Very quick and I find fewer problems than IE. Now that said, for reasons of avoiding issues with popups and such and people wanting or having to use IE, my want to look into MyIE2.

That said, there are some poorly programmed spyware out there that can cause some grief. Have you done a check with Adware and/or HiJackThis?

Also, what other programs are running besides your AV and firewall? What other processes are running (ProcessExplorer from Sysinternals might help you find all the processes).

Also if you are
using Internet Explorer ,DONT download Mozilla instead.

Typo, should be if you are using IE DONT, download Mozilla instead.
Sorry for the confusion.

Don't think I can add much to what has already been posted, but for what it's worth, here goes...

First of all ensure you have all the critical updates for XP.

One of your further postings states you have been using the XP firewall. Yeuk! It's better than nothing, however, you would be wise to get a better one (do a search on here for more info) and then switch the XP one off. Does the Norton product your using have one?

I would suggest you get the critical updates for XP, update Adaware definitions, update your Norton product, go to safe mode and run all the scans. Then pick the bones out of that.

As SirDice has typed, some patches / updates do slow windows down. It is, however, better to run slowly than not at all, like tidalfaze23 stated.

As for seeing if you've been hacked, you would need to interrogate the firewall log files. If you are not technical, you will need to read up on ports and the such like. There's lots of information in the tutorials.

Hope that's helpful and good luck!

hmmm...it is critical to do the updates as it secures your computer. Also try running a defrag it should make it run better.

Quote:

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Originally posted here by skylark
Thanks for all the info....
I enabled xp built in fire wall, and ive downloaded spybot
Ive got - 768 ram
services running - 44, but i dont know what i can and cannot turn off
ive got AVG and Norton at the mo.. and my fire wall is Zone alarm.
Is this sufficient to protect my computer, or is it vital that i have the xp security updates too.

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If I am reading this right, just turn off one of your firewall, and then turn off one of you AV's and you will probably be alright.

It sounds to me like you are running at least 2 AV programs and 2-3 firewalls (if Norton has a firewall with the AV), and that is not a very good thing to do. Only use 1 (one) firewall or AV program at at a time. Other wise you will find that they conflict with one anouther and cause you all kinds of problems.

As for which services you can safely turn off, go to Black Vipers web site and follow his tutorials on services: http://www.blackviper.com/

Hi all,
Ive now tried most of the things youve all advised me on.
just want to say a big thanks to everyone, youve all been great helping me, and youve got me looking in the right direction............
All the Best
skylark

:) Your'e welcome, come again.....




[edit]

Quote:

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Only use 1 (one) firewall or AV program at at a time. Other wise you will find that they conflict with one anouther and cause you all kinds of problems.

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[edit]

moxnix, i have Norton firewall. Sygate firewall, and xp firewall, all turned on and
working fine together. I have not noticed any conflict at all, why would this be?
I read a few recommendations to turn off xp, and only run one. Could i just have them
configured right?????

??? Don't know Tidal, but I do know that (at least some time) running 2 or more firewalls at the same time (hardware and software running together is excluded from this) can cause holes big enough to drive the granddaddy of all exploites through.

I have read a couple of articals that have mentioned that some of them conflict and cancel each other out. I have also seen others post the same thing.

I don't have any links to give you on this, but I will be looking for some as this has peaked my interest again.

:) I think i will go over all the configuration settings, just to make sure
they are not set to allow all.... :eek: