How to Know if You've Been Hacked

There are many ways to find out if your hacked but some ways hackers get in are surprising.

Symptoms of being hacked are

 *If programs and files wont work or open
*Deleted files that you didnt delete
*Password changes
*You find information on the net, that you haven't let out.
*You find some program that shouldn't exist on your system
*Your computer is connecting to the net frequently while you are not doing anything.
*The contents of files change and you didn't change it

Steps

1. If suspected that the hacker is still in the computer, IMMEDIATELY disconnect from the Internet.
2. Check if there aren't any "new programs" (eg. Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, etc.)OR if programs and files won't work or open.
3. Do a sweep of your computer with a Anti-virus/spyware scanner you trust. It is stressed on what you trust(eg.AVG Free edition, Avira AntiVir)
4. If that turns up Nada, backup IMPORTANT files and do a system restore and update the computer.

Tips

• The best method is to prevent it before hand
• Backup important files (eg.Family pictures,Documents,e.t.c) onto a encrypted USB drive and store it in a vault
• To keep the Operating system use a backup program

Warnings

• If left unchecked, the computer could become completely useless, and you might have to reinstall the operating system or buy a new computer.
• Worse yet, your computer could be turned into a zombie that the hacker may use to attack other computers/networks and commit illegal activities.
• If programs and files won't work or open, you are looking at a light show or a electronic picture, the computer will need a new operating system or a restore if the hacker didn't mess with the backups.

Source: www.wikihow.com