Patrick has installed some kind of remote access software on my computer so that he can deal with any problems from his apartment. A couple of times I have been on the computer when I suddenly see the cursor moving around the screen. Then a notepad window pops up and Patrick types out a message to me letting me know what is happening. That is totally what I anticipate when I see my cursor moving when I’m not doing anything.

Yesterday I got up around 6:45 am, got my coffee and went to the computer to check my email. I noticed some screens open that weren’t there last night. Don’t remember what they were, but saw the word failure somewhere. I thought it had something to do with a new hard drive backup system Patrick installed a few weeks ago. I closed the windows and proceeded to check my email. When I minimized the email screen I noticed the cursor begin to move. Next thing I knew, the notepad window opened and someone typed “Good morning.” I typed in “What are you doing?” and he typed “Don’t worry, it’s not a virus. I’m just checking out some software.” I said “ok.” Then he said “What’s your name?” Still not being totally awake, I said “what?” and he typed “:-)” I realize that I should have been suspicious, but I thought Patrick was messing with me. Finally I said “I gotta get ready for work–have a good morning” and he said “thx.”

I checked my email once more before leaving for work and noticed two new icons on my desktop called “SMTP Server” and “Darkmailer.” Figured I would talk with Patrick last night as to what they were and went off to work.

Didn’t get around to talking to Patrick last night, but did call him around noon today. When I asked what he was doing on my computer yesterday morning, he didn’t know what I meant. At that point he did a remote access and told me my system had been hacked by some asshole who was using my computer to send out spam. This guy must have been thrilled when I talked with him, didn’t ask who he was, let him go ahead and fuck with my computer, and then told him to have a good morning!

I honestly had no idea that anyone but Patrick could access my system. Guess I’m not as computer savvy as I thought. All the software has been deleted, Patrick has set up new passwords and other security features, I’ve changed my bank account password and have a question/answer system set up in case Patrick accesses my system and I need to confirm it is him.

Being hacked is very unsettling.