Wireless Computer security

[Random]

I’m freaking out a little. Internet Explorer never would close on its own, would it?

I access the computer in my living room (where all my files are) from the computer in my bedroom using web-based logmein free, because my overpriced computer guy was a…and didn’t set up Win remote desktop like I asked. Their site touts all this security stuff I don’t understand. I’m pretty sure I’ve secured my router. I’ve felt before that things are not as I’ve left them. But last night when I got to my bedroom, internet explorer was just closed. I think I’d had two ie windows open, with logmein seeing the living room on one tab in one of them, and a couple other programs open on the bedroom computer.

In the bedroom he installed AVG free 3.5, and in theliving room Trend Micro Systems, one or both of which are now giving me some expiration message I haven’t been able to read yet.

I am sure ie was open on the bedroom computer when I left in the morning, am sure I put the cursor outside the screen, which it says disables capture or something.

So:
1. Most importantly, any thoughts about this?
2. I see those GuadedID commercials that say they guard against keystroke capture. Does anyone know if it works, and if this is wha? t I need? And would it interfere with my using either logmein or Win remote desktop?
3. Am I right believing Win remote desktop uses a wireless LAN rather than the web, and if so does that make it more secure?

Randy

[brucec]

do you have automatic windows update and installs, some times they will auto reboot after updating, just a thought

[dan_nc]

That was my first thought; does it happen around specific times? Windows update will go grab it's updates and sometimes will want to reboot.

Other than that, you could have some malware, trojan or virus. Especially if you mention that it's possible some definitions are out-of-date.

The second question you posed, is basically, how secure is RDP compared to LogMeIn. I don't have experience with LogMeIn (some of my coworkers like to use it), but the basics look like it's using SSL encryption so that your data is safe between your computer and their servers. From reading some of the discussions, it seems like there may be a way to do encryption end-to-end, which makes the data safe from snoopers in between. RDP can be used over your local network and can also be used across the Internet. How secure it is depends on how you use it. There are ways of minimizing risks (for example, restricting connections from local subnet or whitelisted IP or range, changing the port from the default, setting strict account logout policies, etc.) It just depends on what you are trying to do and what you define as acceptable/unaccceptable risk.

[Random]

The computer did not reboot. Everything else stayed open, but my two windows of Internet Explorer closed. I've never seen that happen before.

Thank you Dan for your wisdom, but I must admit it's all totally over my head. How do I test for malware? Is there a security package you would recommend for all that stuff and viruses too, preferably something that updates automatically? And any thoughts on that guardedID program?

[PN]

I

In the bedroom he installed AVG free 3.5, and in theliving room Trend Micro Systems, one or both of which are now giving me some expiration message I haven’t been able to read yet.


I think you mean AVG 8.5. AVG 3.5 could be a problem.

[Random]

Yup, 8.5

[dan_nc]

Don't freak out. There's probably a ton of logical and reasonable explanations. Maybe a family member walked by and used your computer? If nobody else touched it and it wasn't windows update, there are still other possibilities. IE might have crashed and terminated abruptly. I'm not familiar with the LogMeIn website, but I know web applications can be coded that if they get an 'error' (perhaps on the server side) they can close its browser in the client.

I had seen the ads for GuardedID and I think it's a great concept, but haven't really given it a lot of thought for me, personally. I'll have to ask some of my friends what tools they've used to mitigate risk from keyloggers.

Every tech has a favorite toolkit for these kind of utilities. Mine have recently changed; I've switched to using Advanced SystemCare3 (Iobit) which has auto-updates and can search for bunch of different kinds of malware, and also handles (smart) defragmentation of your harddrive and a bunch of other tasks to keep your system running smoothly & protect your privacy. I use Avast for antivirus. I'm sure every tech you speak to will speak about his/her favorites as well.

When you get back some more strength and are up to talking, we can probably chat about what your functional requirements are and how your current set up meets up to those requirements.