What does hijack mean in computer speak?

Question

Does it mean spyware? Does it mean someone is trying to steal passwords and if so how do you know when you have a real prob?   Today I was sending a Hotmail email reply  the characters I was typing skipped a line and kept typing on the next line down and then would pop up onto the line above where there was an empty space and after sending the window popped up that you do when you first sign up for hotmail - the type these distorted characters window. Also I tried to send a post on this board earlier today and it just disappeared.  ????  Also now when I go to the particular hotmail email it now wants me to type in my password in an outside box and says I am not found. ??? Oh also, I keep getting an error message when I try to open the options page on our Mcafee anti-virus.   We have a Dell Dim 4700 Intel Pent. 4 Cpu 3.20 GHz 3.19 GHz 512 MGB of Ram   Windows XP ver. 02 Serv. pk 2 all updated! Mcafee anti-virus Mcafee firewall Some stinger anti-virus Dell tech had me download(see below post) Micro Beta 1 anti-virus     Before postingI ran the stinger, Mcafee, and beta and nothing was found. Mcafee and Windows are all up to date! Just checked today.   TY in advance for your help. I am sending this before it is taken also!             Ohsoconfused Message Edited by ohsoconfused on 04-14-2005 12:46 PM

Cashe · Answer

Take heart in knowing that your aren't the only person to be 'ohsoconfused' :-)   Basically, hijacking a computer is alot like hijacking a plane or car:  someone 'takes' you (or you PC screen) somewhere you don't want to go. :-(  Hijacking can be as simple as someone changing your browser homepage to a different page without your permission.  Sometimes, it happens when you try to access a familiar page, like a Norton site, etc. and without you knowing it, you are redirected to another site that may look just like the real thing but isn't.  Sometimes, a hijacking is done as part of a virus, where the virus redirects you and prevents you from accessing the webpage that has the removal tool you need to get rid of the virus.    I'm sure there a other examples, but you probably get the drift.  In your case, I'd suggest you go to this thread http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&message.id=26878&jump=true and follow Chris's instructions.  You may or may not need to post a 'Hijack This' log, but the info will take you step by step.   Hope this helps.   Cashe

ohsoconfused · Answer

Ty so much for responding. I have not always had luck here on the forums with getting responses. And then at times I get so overwhelmed with all the instructions and choices when I don't have anyone else to ask about puter stuff. The only local guy who is somewhat puter savvy is not really friendly about helping anyone out except for his boss. :smileysad:

Ok, so I am dense no actually ohsoconfused :smileyhappy: , does the above situation sound like hijacking? Virus? or ? What you described does sound like something that has def. happened on other occasions. Argh, I get so frustrated with computers, but your take heart made me smile. That was such a nice post!

TY again in advanced! Ohsoconfused!!!! :smileyindifferent:

Message Edited by ohsoconfused on 04-14-2005 08:36 PM

B4runo · Answer

Here is a good reference for computer terms:

http://www.webopedia.com .

HTH,:smileyhappy:

B4runo

DIMM 4400
BIOS – A06, date 6/12/02
Win XP Home Edition, SP2
Pentium-4 2.8 GHz, 400MHz FSB, 512K L2
1 GB DDR SRAM PC2100
80GB WD 7200RPM, 200GB WD 7200RPM EIDE/ATA HDDs
Iomega 80GB USB 2.0 External HDD
XFX GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB DDR 8X AGP w/ TV & DVI
17”, 1702FP Digital Flat Panel Display
PCP&C Turbo-Cool 425 Deluxe Dell PSU
SIIG US2275 USB 2.0 / 1394a / NIC PCI card

Courteous Dell Community Forum members search first, then post.

Virus & Spyware

What does hijack mean in computer speak?

Was this post helpful?