Tweekr
join:2001-05-19
Salt Lake City, UT
|  Law Enforcement and cracking my puter
Hello people,
I have never really posted here before but I have used the services and advice many times for about 5 years or so.
I have a story to tell and then within the story a question or questions about security, prevention or if it is really possible to prevent your computer to be cracked then hacked.
Well on around Dec. 6 2006 approx. 7:20 pm I was working out in my garage on a boat I am restoring. I was standing up and turning towards the entry door when all the sudden it swings open and and I see a guy dressed in S.W.A.T. type uniform scream freeze, search warrant!!.... ya, it wasn't Santa clause.
Seems they been watching my activity and scanning or browsing my hard drive and are nailing me for copyright infringement type charges. Due to my downloads from bear share of my music and some software activity. Well, ok there were those occasional porns to that were in the bunch bunch but they are more concerned with the music and programs.
Well, they took 8 hard drives, two desktop computers with hard drives, vid cards tons of expensive memory and then whisked me off to jail with some crazy charge of 2 counts of copyright infringement over the internet or something to that effect. Now there are no charges as of yet filed per my lawyer and I guess they are searching my gigabytes of info on my hard drives they took.
Yes they had a search warrant, but the detective said that she had browsed my files, folders and that is what led her to monitor my activity on bear share.
What a night and what a hunk of change I had to give my lawyer approx. 5K$ u.s. to deal with this case.
First he's looking into civil right violations, I really think or know they cracked my computer and put in a trojan horse or sub7 virus or something to gain access and information. Problem being they have the hard drives and the information that would show it on the security log.
So, I believe they need a warrant to be able to get into any ones computer to get information to be used to obtain a search warrant of a home. I need to know what I need to do to be able to show my machines were cracked if there is any way possible to do that.
Next, what can I do to prevent law enforcement in the future from obtaining access to my machines when they have probably to the general public illegal software to crack anyone computer. I know the best thing is to not have anything such as mp3's and such on the hard drives if they were not obtained with a license etc....
Any ideas?, I am sure there will be some comments...don't blame ya for that. I got stupid or careless and really never imagined getting slammed with a search warrant but let me tell ya, if you live in a Mormon community such as Orem, Utah where the cops are self righteous holier than thou types as well as the state government be careful because if you sin your going down brother! ; (
Anyways....it's a mess. If I could get some ideas as to what to do other than be a nervous wreck that would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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Cudni
La Merma - Vigilado
Premium,MVM
join:2003-12-20
Someshire
 ·BTOpenworld
| said by Tweekr  :..I had to give my lawyer approx. 5K$ u.s. to deal with this case. Let the lawyer continue deal with it
Cudni
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Some are born to failure, others achieve it, all deserve it.Help yourself so God can help you.MVP, Microsoft Windows Security 2006 |
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RXDOC
You want what?
Premium,MVM
join:2002-03-13
Palatine, IL
clubs: | reply to Tweekr
In order for SWAT to be involved they must suspect child pornography or sales and distribution of copywritten materials. Either fit the situation? |
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Kayrac
Premium
join:2001-09-29
Rochester, NH
2 edits | reply to Tweekr
listen to your lawyer man
your paying him good money, it's in his hands now mate
chances are they just have ISP logs of your activity, not trojan horse or anything btw
your isp is federally required to give it up if they get a warrent |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
| reply to RXDOC
said by RXDOC :In order for SWAT to be involved they must suspect child pornography or sales and distribution of copywritten materials. Either fit the situation? I agree!
Some seriously BAD stuff happening for SWAT to be involved!
Simple copyright infringement gets you a summons, not SWAT!
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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Tweekr
join:2001-05-19
Salt Lake City, UT
|  reply to Tweekr
Ok guys, NO SWAT Team was there. No distributing software or Kiddie Porn. They were dressed like SWAT people dress, that is what it reminded me of. Thats all.
Maybe they do think I was distributing the software, who knows since no charges have been formally filed as of yet.
My main question is what programs will trace the high threat type port attempts. What program will totally block access to cracking? I want privacy just as much as you guys do other wise you would not be here.
I appreciate your comments. Thanks and Merry Ho Ho. |
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Tweekr
join:2001-05-19
Salt Lake City, UT | reply to Tweekr
Oh, and I am using zone alarm pro and also proxy way. Any thoughts on these programs as far as security goes? |
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RangerTX
Premium
join:2006-05-17
Los Angeles, CA
| reply to Tweekr
in the future encrypt your hard drives, make sure to keep anything you feel illegal encrypted at all times that you're not using, also keep this stuff on computer that's not connected to the internet. Install surveillance around your house to monitor if cops ever break in to your house to install trojan in to your computer. Did you open any files that you didn't recognize? your firewall is fine and chances are they didn't hack your computer |
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Cheese
Premium
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL
clubs: | reply to Tweekr
I smell something fishy with this story....  |
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sharpy merc
join:2003-01-28
England | reply to Tweekr
Not just fishy, smells alot like it just fell out of a bull.
and its still steaming |
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MarkAW
Barry White or lil bratt
Premium
join:2001-08-27
Canada
·Cogeco Cable
·Bell Sympatico
3 edits | reply to Tweekr
said by Tweekr :Yes they had a search warrant, but the detective said that she had browsed my files, folders and that is what led her to monitor my activity on bear share. You say they had a warrant to search did you even read the said warrant to see if it covered your computer in said search. |
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Cheese
Premium
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL
clubs:
| reply to sharpy merc
said by sharpy merc :Not just fishy, smells alot like it just fell out of a bull. and its still steaming Word.... |
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Kubaton
Premium
join:2003-05-19
Lebanon, IN
| reply to sharpy merc
Re: Law Enforcement and cracking my puter
I agree. Cops cannot break into your house, legally, to install or retrieve anything without a search warrant. You're protected under the 4th amendment, which protects against illegal search and seizure. My initial thought, which may be wrong, is that something is not quite right about the story. I know if all of my computer equipment was seized and knowing that I will be financially devastated, I wouldn't be quite as calm about it.
Just my $.02.
Regards,
Kubaton
--
Welcome to the Internet, where the men are men, the women are men, and the 12 year old girls are FBI agents. |
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EGeezer
Summertime -
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country!
 ·Callcentric
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to Tweekr
said by OP :
Due to my downloads from bear share of my music and some software activity. Well, ok there were those occasional porns to that were in the bunch bunch but they are more concerned with the music and programs.
My recommendation is to avoid those illegal activities that expose you to charges, and continue to use legasl guidance. If the porn you shared is CP or violence against women, I hope you burn.
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6EQUJ5 |
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HFB1217
The Wizard
Premium,ExMod 2000-01
join:2000-06-26
Camelot
clubs: 
| reply to Tweekr
What ever This person has done or not what is being asked is helping to circumvent the law by us and not knowing who or what he is and has plans to do or use that information to avoid detection of.
So I say sorry but no thanks use your Lawyer and leave us out of this potential legal bomb or trap as the case maybe.
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****aka The WIZARD **** A Founding member Seti BBR Team Starfire**** |
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RangerTX
Premium
join:2006-05-17
Los Angeles, CA
| said by HFB1217 :So I say sorry but no thanks use your Lawyer and leave us out of this potential legal bomb or trap as the case maybe. what potential legal bomb, he is just asking how to secure his computer. See nothing wrong with that questions |
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onDvine
Premium
join:2005-01-29
So. CA, USA
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL
1 edit | reply to Tweekr
said by Tweekr :... If I could get some ideas as to what to do other than be a nervous wreck that would be appreciated. Thanks. Consider it a wake up call. You won't be "stupid or careless and really never imagine ..." again. Losing that unrealistic complacency now may save you from worse legal problems in the future.
With "2 counts of copyright infringement over the internet or something to that effect," the best idea I an offer is that you accept you got caught for [whatever] and get over it so you can project your best calm, confident and friendly attitude while your lawyer speaks.
Life's important lessons suck while they're being learned. You'll survive this one. |
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BIGHUSKER
join:2002-01-20
Minneapolis, MN
4 edits | reply to Tweekr
I'm calling bullshit on this right now. Please don't feed the trolls.
#1: This type of copyright infringement is generally a civil matter, so there's no reason the police would be involved if you've given us all the relevant details (downloading some mp3s and videos off BearShare). Unless you were running some huge underground piracy ring that you actually profited from, the worst you'll ever see is a nasty letter from your ISP and/or the RIAA/MPAA that may eventually turn into a lawsuit.
#2: Nobody can "scan your hard drive" remotely unless you went out of your way to share it with everyone, or you had absolutely zero security on your network (not even so much as a NAT router or a software firewall). This isn't some crappy Hollywood movie where you can break into anybody's system with some magical program.
#3: If you acutally had a lawyer, he'd tell you to keep your mouth shut and not to talk to *anyone* about this. The fact is that you admitted (or came very close to admitting) in your post that you downloaded music, videos and some porn.
The only way this would be even remotely believable is if you were suspected of distributing kiddie porn. Methinks this is some bored kiddie on Christmas break. I hope nobody else falls for this. |
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amysheehan
Lakers Win
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:1999-12-21
Huntington Beach, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to Cudni
said by Cudni :said by Tweekr :..I had to give my lawyer approx. 5K$ u.s. to deal with this case. Let the lawyer continue deal with it Cudni Agreed !
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DSLR Phishtracker |
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