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Question

Bought used Desktop, Can he track my details???

Aug 19, 2016 2:59AM PDT

Hi All,

I have bought a used computer through Gumtree today. He said he has installed Windows 7 freshly just before giving to me. System works fine. But i have a doubt. Can he track or get my personal details like my password or any bank details by per installed a bug/script/software. So that as soon as i start using that system and he can get my details? If so how can i check is any thing happens like that and how to safeguard myself from that.

Please help me in this issue.

Thanks in advance to everyone who took your valuable time.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Maybe... Do You Trust This Company?
Aug 19, 2016 8:38AM PDT

Theoretically, spyware or monitoring software could be installed by anybody, but as long as you trust the company you are purchasing your computers from, there should be no problem. If you don't trust the company, then take it to someone you do trust, have them reinstall all software and go from there.

Why do you think "Gumtree" is going to spy on you? In my opinion, if you have such concerns, you shouldn't be purchasing your computers from them.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Answer
Spyware
Aug 19, 2016 11:49AM PDT

Setup your av to do a deep scan.
Let it fly.

Grab a copy of malwarebytes and run a pass.

If everything comes up clean you should be good.

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Answer
Simon Says .... Get a Fresh Start
Aug 19, 2016 7:21PM PDT

If you're feeling truly paranoid about this there are several actions you can take. If the computer came with a keyboard, replace it with a new one. (A keylogger device can be attached/impanted in the keyboard or its connecting cable.) Go to an online store such as www.crucial.com and allow the website to detect what type of RAM memory you have installed. Buy replacement memory and set it aside to be installed at a later step. (RAM memory, although classified as volatile, has been shown to be readable after the computer has been shutdown.) Download a free copy of DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) and burn it onto a blank CD or USB flashdrive. You can also use the excellent Ultimate Boot CD if you don't mind paying for it. Turn on the computer and go immediately into the system BIOS or EFI setup screen (usually by pressing F2 or F12 or Delete key as soon as you switch the power on. In the BIOS locate the Boot setup screen and select CD or USB as the 1st Boot Device. Hit F10 to Save and Exit and click Yes/OK. When the computer reboots use DBAN or Ult. Boot CD to to completely erase/overwrite/sanitize the entire computer hard drive. Depending on the type and size of the hard drive this could take several hours to complete. If the drive is an SSD it will be done within a few seconds. When the drive is completely wiped/erased shutdown the computer. Remove the power cord. Next, double-check that you have removed the power cord! Press and hold the power on/off button on the front of the computer for about ten seconds. Remove the side panel of the computer case, usually accomplished by removing a couple of screws on the rear edge of the side panel. On the main circuit board (called the motherboard) locate the round, coin shaped battery and prise it out carefully with a thin screwdriver. Set it aside. Also remove the RAM memory sticks. Plug the power cord back in and turn the computer on for 20 or 30 seconds then press the power button again to turn it off. This should reset the system BIOS to default values. Remove the power cord again. Install the new RAM memory. Reinstall the round coin-shaped battery. Reconnect the power cord and replace the side panel. Turn the power on and insert the new copy of Windows or Linux in the CD/DVD drive or insert the USB flashdrive, whichever you're using. Press the space bar to begin installing the operating system (you may need to restart the computer once to make this happen). Follow the prompts to complete the install. Book a vacation to somewhere without computers for a week because you'll need it after going through all this stuff to make sure the previous owner isn't spying on you. Oh, yes, almost forgot. Microsoft, your internet service provider, and the NSA are probably spying on you as soon as you turn on your freshly set up system. Good luck!

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Answer
If you are concerned...
Aug 20, 2016 2:21AM PDT

Gumtree has, on occasion, had a less than pristine reputation but those incidents are the exceptions. If you are concerned, you can take a close look at the hardware or if you aren't familiar with it, get a knowledgeable friend to take a look. It would take a serious hacker to mess with the keyboard and screen, so that is unlikely. Anything unusual inside the case should be obvious.

Software-wise, you can as others have said, reload the system from scratch. Make sure you have all the install disks for the software installed before you do anything else. Download Belarc Advisor and run it against your system and print the report. This will give you all the product keys for the installed software and, indeed, a list of what is actually installed. Then download Partition Wizard and burn burn the bootable disk option. Boot from this disk and use the disk option to delete all the partitions on the disk - take the secure option when offered, it will take longer but will guarantee nothing is left behind. Reallocate the partitions as you want them and rebuild the MBR (all Partition Wizard tools). Then reload your software and you are good to go.

If you are not that concerned, then download Malwarebytes, Kaspersky Rescue disk and maybe a standalone scanner from other security software houses, maybe Norton or Trend Micro. RUn them alla nd if they all come up clean, the chances of anything untoward left behind are very slim.