Windows Security Clinic: You've been hacked! Now what?

[IMAGE] If you have to support end users in your organization, you're probably familiar with frantic claims like "I think I've been hacked!" whenever a computer fails. While some situations require immediate action, others are simple cases of user overreaction. To help you identify and troubleshoot when a user has truly been hacked, check out the following scenario. We'll present an end-user's problem followed by diagnoses and possible courses of action to take from three Windows security experts. Then, go to ITKnowledge Exchange to read what your peers have to say about the problem and to share your own thoughts.

The user's problem

"I'm an IT administrator with a little over 500 end users running Windows 2000 and XP. One of our users is experiencing a problem: Her Internet connection drops suddenly for no apparent reason. When she restarts her computer, everything works fine for awhile, but then the connection drops again. The funny thing is, she's noticed that her AOL Instant Messenger service still works even when she can't access her e-mail. We've already run Netstat and noticed that more unknown open connections are being used to certain ports. This particular user has a laptop and works from home frequently, so we're not

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Intrusion detection, prevention and removal Windows security tools for the busy desktop administrator Check IT List: Five steps for rootkit detection Top Windows client security tools for end users Tools for virus removal and detection Buffer overflows can be prevented by GS cookies Determining the proper Microsoft malware removal tool October patches fix four threats Cool things about security, nothing about Britney Spears Run third-party malware detection tools in Windows Malware prevention and detection webcast series

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

sure all updates have been installed. Has her computer been hacked?"

The experts' remedy

Stage one: Diagnosis
Given the information in the scenario, has this person been hacked or not? Click here to find out.

Stage two: Immediate actions
What steps should you take within the first 24 hours after a workstation has been hacked to prevent further damage? Click here to find out.

Stage three: Recovery
After the first critical 24-hour window passes, what should you do to start getting Windows back on track? Click here to find out.

Stage four: Preventative measures
How can you avoid being hacked in the future? Click here to find out.

About the experts

Lawrence Abrams: CTO of a New York City, NY.-based ISP, and owner/creator of BleepingComputer.com, a Web site devoted to teaching basic computer concepts focusing on the removal of malware.

Kevin Beaver: CISSP, Principle Logic, LLC, author of Hacking For Dummies, co-author of Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies and SearchWindowsSecurity.com's Windows Security Threats expert.

Tony Bradley: CISSP-ISSAP, MCSE2k, MCSA, A+, editor of the About.com Guide for Internet/Network Security and creator of the Essential Computer Security.