Is this true...
By vanny
@vandana7 (99067)
India
January 7, 2012 8:06am CST
So papa was mad at me for leaving the computer on for sometime (I tend to do it all the time anyway and he is justified on this count).
He said there is news that hackers can get into the system if the system is on. I am not Kate Middleton, so honestly the hacker would be rather unhappy getting into my system. I dont use net for bank transactions other than those in Paypal.
What is it that I need to protect from Mr. Hacker?
And
Can he really get into my bathroom? I believe there is a lady who returned from States frustrated that her pictures were taken by a hacker and loaded on net.
And I dont use webcam or Skype.
And my system is 10 years old and this is lasting friendship, sort of.
So ..is it possible that my system can be hacked?
6 people like this
10 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
7 Jan 12
Actually, yes, it is possible...My cousins son works for the police department and he has the skills to get into computers without being in the building where the computer is. In fact my cousin told me one time his son scared him when he heard his computer turn on. (His son doesn't live with him, his son did this from his own home)
Another reason to not leave a computer on, is like one said, it can overheat and it also uses a lot of energy to run..So if I am going to be off for say just 1.2 hour, I put it on stand-by, but if I am going to be gone longer, I shut it down completely..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
7 Jan 12
Ven, he was teasing his dad and yes it can happen, especially if ones computer is on a wireless set up. The only way to avoid it is to unplug the computer from the power source. I don't know where you all are from, but here in America, if the government suspects something is going on, they can and do monitor a computer by just parking outside the building..
Vandana, one would have to have the training to do what my cousins son did, and the person would have to target you alone to do it,it isn't random. You have nothing to fear unless you are doing something illegal.
1 person likes this
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
11 Jan 12
Hai Vandana, Happy New Year. I do not know whether we can leave the comp on for a long time. But why to take risk? When you are not using it, sign out of the internet. It is after all for your good that Papa is telling is it not?
1 person likes this
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
10 Jan 12
I knew i lady that said her windows was stolen off her computer. I dont know how that could happen. I would think that leaving it on could increase your chances of being hacked. I dont leave mine on just because it would be running up the electric bill. Its big enough already i dont need it to be any higher.
1 person likes this
I have started switching it off now. But myLot is often kept on when I am doing my other assignments. :)
@mayka123 (16582)
• India
8 Jan 12
I dont know much about how hackers work. But I do know that some virus can get into our system if the internet connection is on. May be dad knows better. And secondly your electricity bills will just go up when you keep the computer on. So in order to save electricity atleast keep the computer off when not in use.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (99067)
• India
8 Jan 12
Yeah..that is something I have to do mayka. I tend to go and sit with my student and when I return the system is on. :) Or I attend to some visitor and leave it on. It seems so silly to switch it on and off so many times in a day. Screen saver is there so I do think it may be consuming less energy. Nevertheless, I need to put in additional efforts I guess. :)
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Mar 12
hi vandana if your papa is smart he should know that if you install a firewall in your computer you are protected against all hackers. they are stopped at the entrance and quarantined and deleted after a short time. they cannot get into your files at all. I am protected that way and have had a firewall for years as I leave my computer on all day.If he has virus protection I am sure he also has a firewall too. You are safe, papa just wants to irrititate y
ou
I imagine. lol.
ou
I imagine. lol.
@programmerprimo (77)
• United States
2 Mar 12
You are mistaking a hacker with a virus. A hacker can't be deleted or quarantined because they are an actual person running attacks directed at you. A virus is a computer program that a person has written that performs malicious acts. A firewall is not a catch all safeguard. Every email you open can possibly infect your PC and disable your firewall. Unless you keep it updated religiously and scan often viruses will get through due to them being written every single day.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
7 Jan 12
Hi Vandana 
Of course yes, it is possible. Once the PC is online, there are quite high chances of it getting Hacked. But we (at least you and me) dont need to be that scared as we arent those bigshots hackers will try to get a peek into
Maybe you should also install a better anti-virus with some firewall kind of thing to feel a little more safe - but technically, these arent any guarantee that the PC will not get hacked ever.
On the lighter sides though, papa seems to be mad for other reasons... not for your pc's security... and a 10 year old friend raises the risk of leaking out more information about you
Of course yes, it is possible. Once the PC is online, there are quite high chances of it getting Hacked. But we (at least you and me) dont need to be that scared as we arent those bigshots hackers will try to get a peek into
Maybe you should also install a better anti-virus with some firewall kind of thing to feel a little more safe - but technically, these arent any guarantee that the PC will not get hacked ever.
On the lighter sides though, papa seems to be mad for other reasons... not for your pc's security... and a 10 year old friend raises the risk of leaking out more information about you@vandana7 (99067)
• India
7 Jan 12
I do have Kasperesky
Well..not really. We have only recently shifted to Office 2007 (3 years). Before that it was old windows...and the hardware man told me it is corrupted. I had beautiful picture of Kajor as screensaver in that which I wanted to retrieve and paint someday. And Madhubala as well. :(
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
7 Jan 12
I have also heard and read that hackers can get into our computers if they are left on. I’m not sure how they do this… but many of us have our banking online and our passwords could be found out and stolen… but I don’t know how they do that either. So much is possible. I heard that we need metal wallets to protect our credit cards and debit cards so they can’t be scanned by electronic thieves. Used to be pick pockets we had to be afraid of, but now people can steal from us without ever touching us.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (99067)
• India
7 Jan 12
I never withdraw monies or make payments through electronic media. So my transaction password is not accessible. I do check balances.
Believe me I dont know how to use debit card, and credit card. :) I mean I have friends who have tried to teach me, but I have kind of never needed it. I get cash at home - bank is next door.
1 person likes this
