something's going on

[serenity411]

i don't know what the problem is, but when i'm using my computer, the arrow suddenly starts moving around like i'm moving my mouse around opening stuff... when the arrow moves, it opens stuff like winamp, remote assisstance and it shrinks the windows i have open already..
any ideas? this really concerns me

[Grinch]

You possibly have a virus of a spyware issue.

[Layzie Bone]

press CTRL+ALT+DEL (assuming you have Windows 2k or XP) This will open Windows Task Manager. Click on the Processes Tab and look for anything named "VNC" and if you find any choose end process. If there is nothing with VNC you definitely have spyware of the worst form.

[nesman]

Serenity, are you the only one with access to your computer? It's possible that someone else has installed VNC on your computer, which allows someone at another computer to control your keyboard/mouse and see your screen.

If there's nobody else that uses your computer, scan for nasties here.

[Layzie Bone]

Someone could also be using Remote Access, there is a way to disable it, but I know know how right off hand...

[moongirl]

I needed to search for information on VNC, not knowing what it meant. This might save someone else some time:

The Virtual Network Computing (VNC) protocol remotely controls another computer over a network. Think of it as a window into your home computer’s desktop from any other computer. Your key presses and mouse clicks get transferred over the network and happen on the remote computer in real time, and anyone at the remote computer can watch the action as it happens.

A few things you can do with a VNC server running at home:

* Start a downloading a large file, like a movie, in the morning so it’s there when you get home in the evening
* Search your home computer’s IM logs, address book or file system for important information
* Help Mom figure out why Microsoft Word doesn’t start without having to go to her house (even though Mom would like to see you more often)
* Control a headless (monitor-less) machine like a media center or file server in another room in the house from the laptop on the couch

VNC requires two components for a successful connection: the server on your home computer, and the viewer on the remote computer. Let’s set up each component to get going. Here’s how.

I obtained the information which is part of an article at: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/feat ... 125607.php

[Layzie Bone]

it can be modified to be spyware, but the actual software is not and can be quite useful.

Basically mood, I take over your screen, keyboard and mouse. I see what you see (except video, doesn't like overlay), I can type my post on your computer.

Because it does what it does it can be used in spyware just because I see what you see.

No one usually hacks a personal computer, not because it's hard but because it's pointless. If you work for a company and someone wants to get a hold of your work, thats a little more of a reason. But for someone to hack my computer just for the fun of it, is tacky.

My theory is that this guy has a nerdy freind or foe who found out his IP address and is screwing around with him. How he done this is unknown to me.

[Rat]

Optical mouse? Nobody asked that yet. Any tiny reflective element on the surface you use your mouse on (even if it's dust) can cause optical mice to do funny things.

[KrazyKid]

Optical mouse? Nobody asked that yet. Any tiny reflective element on the surface you use your mouse on (even if it's dust) can cause optical mice to do funny things.

He said it clicks on stuff and minimizes his windows...don't think a messed up optical mouse is doing that

[Layzie Bone]

a mouse with a vengence would!

[Rat]

....don't think a messed up optical mouse is doing that

Heh, yeah, by the time I'd read the rest of the answers I'd forgotten that bit.