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Ask HN: I think I'm being stalked by a hacker. What should I do?
I think someone who is very knowledgeable about security vulnerabilities might be stalking me. I don't have any hard evidence, but we've been "coincidentally" running into each other a little too often in the past few weeks.
I work as a dev myself, but I don't know a lot about security. Aside from the obvious things, like changing my passwords and keeping records in case I need to get the police involved, what should I be doing to protect myself?
- 2close4comfort 10y agoAre these meetings something that you have only discussed online (setting up to meet others and "the person" shows up too)? You could look at setting up something and see if they show up? If that happens I would reset my phone and computer at home. email is in my profile should you have any additional questions that you might not be comfortable dropping here.
- leavemealone 10y agoMostly, but not exclusively. Not sure if the other times were from something like phone location data, old-fashioned analog stalking, or actual coincidence. Would a phone/computer reset, plus changing passwords, cover pretty much everything? Should I change my home wifi password (or even network name?) too?
- 2close4comfort 10y agoIt should really if there was an exploit used to get access to a browser and a social media account. But be EXTRA vigilant with links in email from now on and this should lower your risk of reinfection (only open if you HAVE to!). And that is a BIG yes on the wifi password and network name that would stop any drive by access to your home network.
- ramtatatam 10y agoAre you using google calendar to plan your meetings?
- leavemealone 10y agoI do use Google Calendar, but I didn't include the location for any of those incidents. Is a private Google Calendar a security concern, though?
- ramtatatam 10y agoGoogle calendar itself is not a security concern however you might have clicked a hyperlink that would do something dodgy to your google account (i.e. link an app to it or similar) and that maybe would be how your meetings leaked (just thinking loud). Are you on Windows or OSx?
- breakingcups 10y agoGo here: https://myaccount.google.com/security?pli=1 https://myaccount.google.com/security?pli=1 This page allows you to review your security settings. Most importantly, have a look at linked apps (I'm on a different language so I don't know the exact terminology, scroll down bit and you should see it). Revoke access to any app that you don't know / doesn't feel right. Definitely enable 2 factor authentication on your Google account. Change your password. Review your security questions and answers as well. Also have a look at https://security.google.com/settings/security/activity https://security.google.com/settings/security/activity This page shows you on which devices you've been signed in, and where they are from. If you notice anything suspicious, click the link at the top of the page.
- saluki 10y agoIs this person dangerous or threatening? If so you could meet with the police, give them a heads up and ask for extra patrols in your neighborhood. Be on guard when you're leaving coming home any place you're alone. Resetting all passwords is a good idea, enable 2 factor auth. I would leave your existing home router up as a distraction, purchase a new one with new generic ssid and strong password and use that one. You could also try using personal hot spot for a week depending on how much bandwidth you use. If you don't think they are a threat just snooping to make chance encounters happen. You could try setting up honey pot plans one by one (gCal, email, sms, from laptop, from phone browser, etc) to try to see if there is a pattern to how they are tracking you. Swap phones with a friend for an afternoon with someone that knows them or what they look like, see if they run in to them. They could be in to any or everything though digitally. Or maybe nothing and they just know places you go so they go there often to increase chance meetings. Try to distance your self from them, give them the cold shoulder when you do run in to each other, maybe they'll be the hint. Good luck, be safe.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]