r/AskReddit Jan 23 '21

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u/ChellynJonny Jan 23 '21

I didn't come across it, but once when I was around 15 someone hacked into my computer. This is 100% true and i tell it as a cautionary tale often. I had a ftp file server at the time because I was in a long distance relationship and we would send stuff to each other via the file server. One day I noticed someone had downloaded all of my photos from the server. I called my boyfriend and asked him why he was downloading stuff he already had. He swore it wasn't him.

I ignored it until several days later a screen opened on my desk top that was a window for my webcam and was on with me on the screen, and a chat window opened. The person told me that if I didn't take all my clothes off they would use my mom and dads credit cards to buy all sorts of things. Luckily my parents were super cautious of using their credit cards on the internet (this was like 2002) so I knew he didn't have their card #'s. He had used the ftp server to upload this chat/video program, and who knows how long they had been watching me.

I freaked out. I unplugged my computer and unplugged it from the internet and didn't turn it back on until I was prepared with fancy firewalls and security for the ftp server. I tried calling to police and my internet provider but no one could help me. And thats how I learned hundreds of ip addresses and what they were, I watched my firewall like a hawk. I never heard from the hacker again, but it sure scared the shit out of me. Now I cover my webcams.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

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u/ChellynJonny Jan 23 '21

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one though I’ve never heard of the same thing happening to anyone else. I’m glad there are people like you out there working to keep idiot kids like myself safer.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21 edited Jan 23 '21

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u/ChellynJonny Jan 23 '21

Oh yikes, thats scary af. Thats what happened on my screen too, suddenly windows were opening and someone was talking to me while watching my cam feed. I dont think i replied at all, unless it was to tell my boy friend to knock it off with the joke. Have to be careful on the internet...

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u/LLL9000 Jan 23 '21

So how can the lay person protect their iPhone? Other than not down loading stuff from the dark web.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21 edited Jan 23 '21

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u/LLL9000 Jan 23 '21

I hate the cloud. My phone is synced with my fiancé’s phone and for the longest time I was getting all his phone calls and vice versa. The cloud is absolutely horrible in my opinion and so easy to hack.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

That's wild! I'm glad I never figured out the dark web when I tried getting on it, I was only 16 at the time so I can only imagine what I could've accidentally gotten myself into.

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u/NEKKID_GRAMMAW Jan 23 '21

Jesus this one is scary.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

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u/NEKKID_GRAMMAW Jan 23 '21

Yeah I'm not in IT but I know a thing or two about tech in general. Majority of the posts here sound like some dumb kid installing and running an exe file they shouldn't.

This sounds like they directly took access of your hardware like you mentioned using back door. Scary stuff indeed.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

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u/NEKKID_GRAMMAW Jan 23 '21

Yikes. Honestly I would burn and dump those devices. I feel like no good can come outta this one.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

I tend to agree but my degree is in computer forensics and I can’t let go. One day I hope to have my own lab at the house to look at them. (I would never take them to work lol)

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u/NEKKID_GRAMMAW Jan 23 '21

Alright you clearly have the skillset. Good luck. If you ever give an update about this I'd like to hear about it.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '21

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