Question Cyberstalker might have installed a rootkit into my system ?

[exorcism412]

Hello, I am looking for advice regarding rootkits and hacking.

I have been dealing with this cyberstalker person for the past several years on and off. I have tried a lot of things, and to my surprise, I was not able to stop this person from tracking me down.

This led me to conclude that I might have been hacked or rootkitted. What would be the best remedies for dealing with this?

For further context, I met this person from an online gaming community in 2018. I am not exactly sure what mistakes I might have made since it was a long time ago, but I might have clicked on something?? I am not sure. After this, this person was able to track down on all of my computer activities, and by all I mean ALL, EVERYTHING. My private DMs with friends on Telegram, Discord, my phone number, personal files, photos, games I'm playing, all activities, information, emails, all social media accounts, EVERYTHING was found.

This cyberstalker uses her advantage of having complete spying of my system to torment me and harass me by inducing panic and anxiety through deliberate attempts where she would message me things from multiple fake accounts that ONLY I should know about. She also somehow found new accounts I have made on forums, social media sites, and I used random names and random email, and no signs of any accounts were ever compromised.

An example, say I was watching a very specific porn genre on my computer and have told no one about, since you know it is porn and the genre can be pretty nasty. This cyberstalker then sent subtle texts or messages from a random fake account about that kind of porn to mess with me, you know what I mean? These kinds of harassments.

Yes, I have contacted police, but they haven't considered my situation severe enough and have not taken actions. Which is why I am now trying to seek help online. Any experts here in rootkits?

At times, there were also strange symptoms on my PC, where it would suddenly wake up in middle of night while the display was off or asleep, and that also wakes me up, which is hella spooky. I did research online for a while, and a rootkit seems like the most accurate infection that I might have, nothing else seems out of the ordinary, no detections.

Things I have tried:

• Paid for antivirus softwares, multiples of them in fact.
• All kinds of virus scanners and tools.
• VPN
• Clean reinstall of Windows.
• Dual boot Linux.

None seemed to have worked.
What should I do?

 

[COLGeek]

Since 2018 you've had these issues?

Have you completely reset your network devices and established strong passwords and removed remote access to the router?

Have you completely wiped (factory reset) and fully reinstalled operating systems and applications (with media from legit sources) on computers?

Have you reviewed security settings on all social media platforms to restrict access?

 

[Ralston18]

Start by resetting all passwords to strong passwords that you share with no one.

Wipe suspect devices and reinstall the OS via Windows Clean Install.

Even though you have done so in the past, do so again, being sure to use vetted software and procedures.

 

[exorcism412]

Since 2018 you've had these issues?

Have you completely reset your network devices and established strong passwords and removed remote access to the router?

Have you completely wiped (factory reset) and fully reinstalled operating systems and applications (with media from legit sources) on computers?

Have you reviewed security settings on all social media platforms to restrict access?

Start by resetting all passwords to strong passwords that you share with no one.

Wipe suspect devices and reinstall the OS via Windows Clean Install.

Even though you have done so in the past, do so again, being sure to use vetted software and procedures.

Router no, I don't own the router, someone else does.
I did wipe and fully reinstall my operating systems.
None of my accounts online were ever compromised.

 

[COLGeek]

Router no, I don't own the router, someone else does.
I did wipe and fully reinstall my operating systems.
None of my accounts online were ever compromised.

So others are using the same router you are? Have they taken precautions? Who's router is it?

 

[Ralston18]

Seconding @COLGeek

If it is not your router and/or others have access to the router then anyone can factory reset the router to the commonly known default IP address, admin login name, and password. Or otherwise make security related changes - and maybe not good ones.

Or someone else discovered that you were using the/their router and retaliated by hacking you back.

In any case, my thought is that you have been lucky regarding any third party persons do not know how to hack into your "accounts online" or simply have not yet succeeded in doing so.

Indeed - who's router is it?

 

[exorcism412]

So others are using the same router you are? Have they taken precautions? Who's router is it?

Seconding @COLGeek

If it is not your router and/or others have access to the router then anyone can factory reset the router to the commonly known default IP address, admin login name, and password. Or otherwise make security related changes - and maybe not good ones.

Or someone else discovered that you were using the/their router and retaliated by hacking you back.

In any case, my thought is that you have been lucky regarding any third party persons do not know how to hack into your "accounts online" or simply have not yet succeeded in doing so.

Indeed - who's router is it?

My family's router. But I don't own it or pay for it, so I have no say in any of its settings or password, or configuration. I can't check it at all.

I told my family about this situation but they don't care or take it seriously.

I don't understand how my router could have been hacked if it really is the case. This cyberstalker is in a different country.

 

[COLGeek]

Router no, I don't own the router, someone else does.
I did wipe and fully reinstall my operating systems.
None of my accounts online were ever compromised.

Not about compromising your social media accounts, more about setting so you control who sees your content or friends you.

If you have had systems compromised, they may have compromised the devices of other family members. This could explain continued presence of the person.

 

[exorcism412]

Not about compromising your social media accounts, more about setting so you control who sees your content or friends you.

If you have had systems compromised, they may have compromised the devices of other family members. This could explain continued presence of the person.

Yes, I believe this person has hacked into my family's system, all our devices, network, and contineously infect any devices that's connected to each other via. the router/network, This explains why despite wiping system and clean installation, it keeps coming back. I don't understand what kind of infection this is, is it a worm? zero day? malware? What kind is this?

So what am I supposed to do? I can't afford to get a new network, or new device at this time. I've tried a lot of things, but surely there must be something out there that can protect me.

I have ESET antivirus installed, but it doesn't seem like it is working.

 

[Ralston18]

If the family does not understand and/or care then there is little that you can do.

At best stay away from all sketchy websites and double your efforts to secure online accounts and protect personal data on your computer.

Cancel accounts that are no longer or even rarely used. Reduce your online foot print.

Be sure to back up important data and keep the backups off of the family network.

Not an expect on such things, but consider that the cyberstalker is getting some thrill by harassing you and seeing the responses.

Simply put up as much defense as you can for you and your system.

Ignore the cyberstalker and she may look for someone else to annoy and harass.

If the family goes away for a few days unplug modem and router while all of you are gone.

ISP may provide a new IP address when the modem and router are restarted on your return.

There may be other ideas and suggestions posted regarding how you can further protect your system and personal life.