Facing a Disturbing Cyber Intrusion: A Cautionary Tale

Recently, I experienced a bizarre and unsettling incident that I feel compelled to share. Just as I was stepping out of the shower, I returned to my computer to find my web browser inexplicably opening on its own. It was alarming to watch as text appeared in the address bar – bizarrely, someone typed “bitch,” and then began navigating through my folders until they reached my cryptocurrency bookmarks. They were about to access my Coinbase and Binance accounts.

In a panic, I attempted to close the browser using Alt+F4; however, nothing responded. My mouse was completely unresponsive as well, forcing me to ultimately shut down my computer manually to regain control. This experience left me feeling violated and vulnerable, and I was at a loss as to what my next steps should be.

Steps Taken After the Incident

Thanks to the outpouring of helpful suggestions and support from the online community, I made immediate changes to enhance my security. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

Changed All Passwords: I promptly updated passwords for all my accounts to ensure that I wasn’t leaving any doors open for potential future breaches.
Cleaned and Reinstalled: After backing up my important files, I performed a clean installation of my operating system to eliminate any potential malware or compromised software.
Locked Down Password Management: I configured LastPass to require my password every time I open my browser, adding an extra layer of protection.
Two-Factor Authentication: I’m now utilizing token and authenticator apps for added verification before accessing any of my accounts, which is essential for online security.

It’s worth noting that I never actually stored cryptocurrency directly on my computer; the seemingly sensitive folders were simply bookmarks to the respective cryptocurrency exchanges. The curious sequence where the intruder typed “bitch,” then backspaced before sifting through my bookmarks was particularly unsettling.

In light of this incident, I chose not to re-download TeamViewer, especially given that many suggested it might have been the source of the intrusion. While I usually see a black screen when someone remotely accesses my computer, I noted that this time, I had no control over my mouse or keyboard at all during the incident.