GameBanshee Forums

that my computer is being used remotely. I could just be paranoid, of course. Or it might be something perfectly normal and legit... I dunno.

I can quite often hear a programme running, even when I'm not doing anything, and even when not on-line - as, for instance, over the past few minutes - and it is NOT my antivirus, because that only runs once a day.
How can I find out what is running when I hear the noise? I know there is a way to find out the currently running programmes; I've been told how before, but I forget...

Can you help, please?

If you are using Vista, press alt+ctrl+delete and then select task manager and look at both programs and processes to see if there is anything suspicious. With XP, I think task manager can be found in the Accessories folder on the start menu. I'm not sure about Windows 7 as never used it

Hope this helps.

AS far as I know, to look in the task manager for suspicious stuff you need to know exactly which processes were running prior to getting infected, which pretty much excludes everyone who isn't mega computer whiz.

I think it sounds better to just backup everything (if you got a second harddrive) and format/reinstall. That is if you already used a virus program to scan.

But if its just paranoia then thats a whole lot of work for nothing

Oh yeah, and lets not forget that there are many processes in windows that will take place without your knowledge and will make your computer work even if there are no visible programs running.

I don't know what these processes are called but I believe it could either be an update or a safety backup. Someone else propably know more about that.

If you see your mouse moving around involuntarily though and you see it trying to activate the self destruction mechanism. Just pull the network cable fast!! (ps, the last part was a joke )

Most ISP's have proprietary virus software you can download and use for free.

Do it and run both a thorough virus and spyware scans pronto. Sounds like a spyware problem.

Porn sites, casino sites and torrents will get you infected in no time.

Fljotsdale wrote:that my computer is being used remotely. I could just be paranoid, of course. Or it might be something perfectly normal and legit... I dunno.

I can quite often hear a programme running, even when I'm not doing anything, and even when not on-line - as, for instance, over the past few minutes - and it is NOT my antivirus, because that only runs once a day.
How can I find out what is running when I hear the noise? I know there is a way to find out the currently running programmes; I've been told how before, but I forget...

Can you help, please?

If by "program running" you mean you can hear your harddisk spin up/down and work - then it can be down to the indexing service in Windows.
Try right clicking your drive in Windows Explorer and check if the checkmark for indexing is set. That is a possible solution.
If you run Vista, you'll experience the disk spinning up/down a lot and it isn't automatically a problem, even with indexing turned off.

Otherwise, as suggested by mr_sir - check the task manager to see if a program is listed on there as running. Can be some update processes or something.

And of course, try to run some other form of anti-virus software then your normal to check up if you've been infected by a virus/trojan.
If it is harddisk spinning up/down and it is malicious I doubt it is "spy ware", but if indeed malicious it sounds as part of a bot-network or trojan and various anti-virus software should track it, unless very advanced. But this is only if it is some malicious software.

My guess however is most likely the indexing services in Windows and common windows behaviour. It usually is.

RPGguy wrote:Most ISP's have proprietary virus software you can download and use for free.

Do it and run both a thorough virus and spyware scans pronto. Sounds like a spyware problem.

Porn sites, casino sites and torrents will get you infected in no time.

I'm almost 73 and female. I'm not into porn or casino and I don't know what torrents are - apart from water-related torrents, that is, as in 'torrential rain...' :laugh:

Xandax wrote:If by "program running" you mean you can hear your harddisk spin up/down and work - then it can be down to the indexing service in Windows.
Try right clicking your drive in Windows Explorer and check if the checkmark for indexing is set. That is a possible solution.
If you run Vista, you'll experience the disk spinning up/down a lot and it isn't automatically a problem, even with indexing turned off.

Otherwise, as suggested by mr_sir - check the task manager to see if a program is listed on there as running. Can be some update processes or something.

And of course, try to run some other form of anti-virus software then your normal to check up if you've been infected by a virus/trojan.
If it is harddisk spinning up/down and it is malicious I doubt it is "spy ware", but if indeed malicious it sounds as part of a bot-network or trojan and various anti-virus software should track it, unless very advanced. But this is only if it is some malicious software.

My guess however is most likely the indexing services in Windows and common windows behaviour. It usually is.

That's quite reassuring - thanks!

I think my antivirus SHOULD be ok, but I used to get 'warnings' about stuff it had dealt with and now I never do, which bothers a bit, in case the antivirus has been meddled with (did I mention I could be paranoid...?)

Task Manager... yeah, thanks evreyone who told me how to find that! I'll check it next time I hear the machine working when I don't think it should be. Task Manager.... Task Manager... Task Manager...