Lincolnshire couple's lives ruined by hackers
A couple from Lincolnshire say they are being plagued by computer hackers.
The pair say they are being put through hell by a hacker who has broken through their security.
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INFECTED: Donna James, left, and Rachel Burton have become victims of computer hackers. Picture: John Jenkins
Now Donna James, 43, and Rachel Burton's home router is being used as an internet server for an unknown number of people.
"It all started about six weeks ago," said Ms Burton, 37, who lives with Ms James near Waddington.
"It wasn't something you would notice particularly, the computers were running slowly.
"Then loads of Trojans started appearing and bits of programmes started disappearing.
"We feel like out lives have been totally invaded."
Trojans are a type of computer file that appear to do a normal function but actually lets an unauthorised person get access to the user's system.
The couple have employed experts to wipe their computers clean and have bought new mobile phones after experiencing problems with their Bluetooth devices but are still experiencing problems.
Ms James, who is doing a masters degree in design, said: "They've basically ripped our lives apart.
"We don't use our computers for anything out of the ordinary but who knows what the people using us as a server have been doing."
Hi-Tech crime investigator for Lincolnshire Police Chris Brown said: "Lincolnshire Police have received a report about this incident but not currently able to comment on the details of the case, as it is still in the early stages of investigation."
10 Comments
by happy girl, lincoln
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 4:08PM
“oooh Mike please use spell check”
by MIKE CYCOTT, BURTON VILLAGE
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 1:40PM
“Have a word with Emma - shes a space kadet - goes on twitter would you beleave !”
by Barry Blower, Lindum
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 1:39PM
“I should say the hackers involved here might well be ordering goods online such as organic veg or pillow cases as these are two items that ar not readily available in the waddington area.
So if you happen to see any one acting strange in the villiage brandishing any of the mentioned veg or pillow cases then they may well be the culprit involved.”
by NottsRed, Notts
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:48PM
“Dislaimer: I'm not saying wired networking is totally secure either, it isn't, people can still hack you over the Internet if they know your IP address.”
by NottsRed, Notts
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:47PM
“Sean, WPA security is more secure than WEP, but even then the security can be broken in a matter of minutes. There is software out there for this.
My router has a button on the front that you have to press before a new computer can be connected to the wireless network, but I'm pretty sure even this is breakable.
If you want to be secure, don't use wireless.”
by Steve, Lincoln
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:40PM
“So simple Den isn't it. Hardly rocket science and certainly not news worthy. Just a poorly maintained computer, and Sean, I'm not gonna get pulled into that argument lol.”
by Jim, Lincoln
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:38PM
“Have I missed a significant part of this story? As far as I can gather, this couple experienced slower than normal internet access, and then some computer viruses. I can fully appreciate that this is not desirable in an ideal world, but does it really warrant the headline 'Lincolnshire Couple's Lives Ruined by Hackers'?
The article next to this described how a truck driver was killed when he drove into a combine harvester. That is a ruined life, this is a minor irritation.”
by mike cycott, burton village
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 11:57AM
“Same thing happened in our village - best advise through the computer away - its the saftest way !!”
by Den, East End
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 9:38AM
“Get a new password and change it regularly and a decent anti-virus programme and there shouldn.t be any more problems.”
by Sean, Carholme
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 9:24AM
“Duh .....you can reset your passwords and wep keys ....and maybe just to avoid ever getting into this situation ....buy a MAC.”