Well I can't say I never learn anything. Over the past two weeks I've learned quite a bit about Zombie Computers! This is not because I plan to hack into somebody else's machine with malicious intent, but because someone did it to me.
In short, my firewall was successfully penetrated by a piece of malicious software that allowed somebody to use my PC to attack other machines remotely. While they were at it, it's quite likely they were sending spam from my IP address and lots of other things to boot.
Warned by my ISP that something was amiss, I scanned the PC with every kind of antivirus tool I could get my hands on, but it appears it wasn't enough. After successfully attacking someone else's machine, the malefactors decided to leave my computer and disappeared off into the ether, but not before ensuring that I can no longer boot to Windows. According to my ISP, this is a rather drastic method of ensuring their their tracks are covered.
Consequently, I am now the proud owner of a laptop that, when switched on, has a very attractive blue screen with the words UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME. What's more, it will remain that way until I can locate the correct CD that will allow me to start. Tremendous.
Thankfully I have been able to borrow a laptop (hence my being online now) fir the time being, but it's all rather frustrating.
Posted by dompannell at November 2, 2005 11:23 AM | TrackBack