Nancy;
How do you know you have been hacked?
If you have truly been hacked, a Clean Installation is the only
reasonable option.
There would never be a way to know that all the hackers work is gone.
Otherwise the hacker could be lurking waiting for another appropriate
time.
Clean Installation
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.
Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673
Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update
After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.
If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.
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To protect the safety and security of your computer in the future:
Install or enable a firewall IMMEDIATELY, before connecting to the
internet:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673
Install ALL Critical Updates IMMEDIATELY.
Start/All Programs/Windows Update
Install an antivirus application
Update it weekly
Run it at least weekly
Also see:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/home/
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...l=/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-105.asp