19 Mar
2018
19 Mar
'18
8:14 p.m.
On Monday 19 March 2018 06:23:15 Steven D'Aprano
wrote:
If you've eliminated everything else -- emptied all caches, no file
system corruption or bad disks, no unusual entries in the logs etc --
then you may have to consider the possibility that you've been hacked,
despite all your security. If somebody is using your computer for
bitcoin mining, that might do it: the block chain exceeded 100GB a few
years ago.
http://www.coinfox.info/news/6700-bitcoin-blockchain-size-reaches-100-gb
Yes, that's 100 gigabytes. Or simply storing their warez on your
computer, like it's 1999 again :-)
I am checking out the other links concerning tests to run. I'm pretty sure my
hard disk is not corrupted; I run fsck fairly often. And I doubt it is
bitcoin mining (although I only know bitcoin from the defensive position).
I not only block (or attempt to block) bitcoin miners, but also modify my
hosts file to block all ads, and disable ipv6, etc.
Richard Stallman keeps telling me that the proper word here is "cracked"
not "hacked"; and I agree, though I know everybody, including myself, says
hacked for both good and bad. Anyway, if I have been cracked or hacked, it is
either through brute force, or somebody got physical access to my computer
(which I lock down when I leave the house); or maybe by somebody with a lot
of money and resources.
Otherwise, my attacker has impressive skills, and his/her/their talents are
wasted on low-hanging fruit like whatever is on my computer. They really
ought to consider aiming for bigger targets, as I will just crawl back under
my rock again.
Bill
It could be that there is somebody out there who found a way in, but I