Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I just met big brother...his name is Skippy

I’m not sure if I want to believe what just happened right here in my office. Did big brother just pay me a visit? Should I call the FTC?
If you have ever turned over remote control of your pc during an online chat with “technical support” from Symantec, here’s what you just did.

By the time I got offline with them it was five hours later and I was at level three with the supervisors. No, my problem with their software was not resolved, and it wasn’t even security related, but that’s okay. I applaud their efforts. Here’s where it gets weird. After I signed off with them I restarted my computer, not because it is probably just a good idea, but because I was prompted to do so in order for some “changes” to take effect.

“Finally I can get some breakfast, it’s noon.” But wait a minute! What did I just see? The cursor on my screen just moved. Is that the theme from The Twilight Zone I hear? No. Skippy from India has remote control of my pc again! No I didn’t enter any access number or click “I agree” anywhere. Skippy just waltzed right up and hacked into my computer. Are you creeped out yet? No?
Well that’s not all. At one point he, “Skippy”, was reading my email, trying to access my 401k info and just being generally nosey.
No my “cards and log-ins” still doesn’t sign me directly into my Gmail like it does my Yahoo account, but that’s okay. A little privacy feels reassuring about now.
I’m sure this is all harmless or is it? I don’t know. You make the call. I’m going to unplug my computer and rest easy.

No comments:

Post a Comment