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    A Scary Moment (Security Compromise?)

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by OpenFace, Apr 22, 2009.

  1. OpenFace

    OpenFace Notebook Consultant

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    I was about to start working on my paper but I figured I would check the shipping status of my Vaio. I went to sonystyle.com and clicked on "My Account". It prompted me to log in (as usual) but the email address was not correct.

    It normally fills in the email address field and I just enter my password. For some reason, it wasn't my email address in the field. It was something I have never heard of before. I asked my roommate if he had used my computer and tried getting on the Sony site (it was a stretch, but he is the only guy that could have possibly done it). He said it wasn't him, which I believe because when I close my computer it goes to sleep and requires a password once it wakes up.

    What could be the cause of this? I cleared all of my cookies and it isn't coming up anymore, but it is a concern of mine.

    I have Avast running with all of the On Access scanners going, my Windows Firewall is on, auto updating is enabled. Essentially, all of the Windows Security Center categories are satisfied.

    ---

    Sorry about putting this in this part. I just saw the security subforum. :/

    :confused:
     
  2. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    What was in the email address field instead? Any ideas? Many browsers try to be "smart" about filling fields in, going off of hints in the web pages and such. Perhaps Sony changed around the form, and the browser "helpfully" tried to fill in info from some other form you've filled out that was similar. I've had mine do that before. Or you accidentally hit a key and it auto-completed what was filled in, and you didn't notice that happen.

    It's not likely that that would happen by someone hacking your machine. The point of hacking into someone's details is to NOT bring attention to yourself in stupid ways ;) It's probably just a misfiring of a feature rather than malice.
     
  3. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Have you checked your email to see if the sonystyle website sent you a warning email regarding changes to your account? Also, try contacting the admins for the sonystyle website (perhaps by telephone to be safe, or else a different computer) to see if any changes have been made to your account that you don't recognize.
     
  4. OpenFace

    OpenFace Notebook Consultant

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    The email address was "[email protected]". The email address I use on Sony Style starts with 'a' but the similarities end there. I never have to type in that field anymore, since it usually knows what email address I use.

    --

    I logged into my account using my regular email address and looked at the details. Nothing was changed, from what I could tell. I haven't received any emails about it.
     
  5. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    No clues as to whose email address that is then, I presume? Never seen it or used it or anything? Just update your browser, clear your cache, do a virus/malware scan, and change your password on Sony Style ASAP. You should be ok if you can still log into Sony Style and things haven't been changed around.
     
  6. OpenFace

    OpenFace Notebook Consultant

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    I have never seen or heard of the address. I'll just do like you suggested and see if it ever happens again.

    Thanks!