Computer Troubles - any recommendations?

[Jodie]

Okay, so lately I've been having trouble logging into my jodie@vancouverjodie.com e-mail account - the session keeps timing out before I can get logged in. I didn't pay much attention to it until some other strange things started happening today:

1. Trying to log into my Hotmail account I keep getting an error message saying that I need to enable cookies. I checked my security settings and not only are cookies enabled, I have it set them to "always allow" cookies from Hotmail.

2. Checked one of the MSN groups I belong to, and several of my recent posts have gone poof. Tried to post on there and it said my session had timed out. Several tries later, I don't seem to be able to post at all.

3. Logging into my personal e-mail account, it keeps asking for my password (usually only asks once per day), and saying "Invalid Password" on the first try, though I am able to log in on subsequent tries.

I am running Windows XP Service Pack II, plus I have ZoneAlarm Security Suite. What's going on here? Are these just typical Windows problems, or have I been hacked or something?

Anyone???

 

[hitrack]

Try disableing zone alarm and the windows firewall if thats on too. Sounds like you picked up a trojan or something. I assume you tred to log into your hotmail on a friends comp to see if it would work or not?!?!?

You can run your antivirus in safe mode, or download a trojan finder, or if the whole comp just seems fukked just reinstall windows.

 

[Shortie]

Dell.ca has an amazing deal on right now.

40 GB laptops for $799. Desktops are only $499.

I don't work there, just like thier products.

 

[[Server Error]]

Jodie,

Is the @vancouverjodie.com e-mail web-based or do you use an e-mail client to retrieve the e-mails?

There are many reasons why sessions might time out. Besides missing cookies, if the clock time on the client computer where the cookie is set differs too much from that on the server, the cookie is considered invalid, thus expiring sessions. Of course, server-side problems can also prevent users from logging into the system (e.g. servers under attack, machine crash).

I think in order to log into hotmail, more than one server are contacted. Therefore, to diagnose the problem, try making sure that the browser is not blocking any cookies, especially those from hotmail-related domains (e.g., *.hotmail.com, login.passport.net, msn.com (?), etc.). If it still doesn't work, fiddle around and see if there are other active third-party applications (such as ZoneAlarm, antivirus, perhaps even some SP2 settings, etc.) that may be preventing cookies from being set.

As others have suggested, it may be a good idea to scan for spyware/trojan using programs such Spybot Search & Destroy and Spyware Blaster, among many others. To reduce the risk, if you are using IE, it should be used at highest security setting and create exceptions for trusted web sites. Other browsers (e.g. Firefox) may also be viable alternatives.

If there are indeed spyware/trojan on your machine, change all of the passwords ASAP as they may have been compromised.

 

[Jodie]

Jodie,
Is the @vancouverjodie.com e-mail web-based or do you use an e-mail client to retrieve the e-mails?

My e-mail is web-based. I had the option to set it up through Outlook, but I felt webmail would somehow be more secure, as it is not directly linked to my computer.

I went to www.spysweeper.com and did a "Spy Audit," which came out almost squeaky clean:

Spyware Found on Your Computer

Trojans
0

System Monitors
0

Adware
0

Adware Cookies

2o7.net Cookie
Atdmt (Atlas DMT)
DoubleClick Cookie
Hitbox Cookie
Mediaplex Cookie
Pointroll Cookie

Maybe I'll check out some of the other spyware detectors, in case SpySweeper missed something... I think I'll also change my passwords, as a precautionary measure.

Other than that, I will have to check into the other suggestions once I have had a little bit of sleep. Brain... fading... fast

Thanks for all the input so far

XO,
Jodie

 

[skyboy]

Try disabling your Zone Alarm and try again. With XP SP2 there's a built in firewall and doubling up might cause a few problems. I don't think the MSN post disappearing and the login problems are related.

Try using a different computer to log into your email and hotmail accounts.

You could use all the software to try to find the problem but the only real true way to fix it would be to reinstall windows xp.


SB