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Question

Does someone else have access to my computer?

Feb 20, 2015 8:29PM PST

Hi there,

My internet has been going really slow recently.

The only thing that I could think of that might be causing this problem was that I had recently been putting all my favourite sites in the bookmarks toolbar.

So I thought I would see if I could move them to the "Unsorted bookmarks" folder.

I am not really experienced with computers/software etc etc so I just started looking around, I came across this tab called "Sync".

It turns out that someone I know (an IT professional) has "Synced" my computer to his email address. If I understand what I read correctly, my computer is treating his devices as if they are an extension of my own. Is that correct? So he can look at what I am doing/have been doing (so internet history) from his computer, laptop, and smartphone?

If this is true, then this would be a major breach of privacy.

Is there anyway that this could have been done unintentionally? Keeping in mind this particular individual works in IT as a network administrator and has a degree in information technology.

I provided him access to my computer so he could temporarily connect me to his network and I could copy some of his files over to my computer.

He also used my computer to quickly check his emails. I considered the possibility that this could be the reason that he was "synced" with my computer, but why would it only list his email address in the synced tab? I have been logging into my two Gmail accounts and the computer has not automatically "synced" with these accounts.

My understanding was that once I closed the "Shared network folder" (I think this is what it was called), there would no longer be any residual connections between our two computers.

Could he have access to all the passwords that have been saved (for automatic login of emails, forums, etc etc)?

If it is the case, that he had deliberately sort to connect with my computer so he can invade my privacy, are there any other things that you would recommend that I check?

Could there be other ways that he is accessing my computer?

After "unsyncing" his email, my internet sped up a lot.

I have Windows 8.1 and use the Mozilla Firefox browser.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Can you explain about that "sync"?
Feb 21, 2015 7:06PM PST

It's totally unclear what you mean.

Kees

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Moreover ...
Feb 22, 2015 2:52AM PST

I don't think this has anything to do with "network administration" mentioned in your other thread. Syncing data from Windows 8.1 or Firefox via the cloud to other devices is a typical user (consumer) action, that has nothing to do with managing a LAN consisting of clients, servers and datacom devices in a business environment.

If you feel your PC is compromised somehow, follow the instructions to go back to factory conditions. This will undo all changes anybody (including you yourself!) did to the machine after you bought it. Be sure to have a good backup of everything you don't want to lose!

Kees