Hackers by IP address through the ICQ website?

[Kristenn]

Well, my friend is a Mac user (running 10.6.2 Snow Leopard) and was on ICQ last night and some lady (named Brandi_ and later Brookke) started talking to my friend. She got my friend's IP by the /whois (name) and pasted it saying she would hack into her computer, copy all her files and anything she ever typed on her computer and send it to her parents by email (she also claimed she got her phone number) and would use all this unless she did was she was told. She also said (when my friend refused) that she was going to include computer viruses and that she should be prepared to get a new computer.

(anybody that truly knows anything about a computer knows buying a new computer just because it got a virus is stupid.)

My friend isn't exactly really super smart with computers (though she isn't stupid) I told her not to worry and that the lady was bluffing. SHe never got any phone calls, no weird computer things... her parents didn't get emails. I think it's safe to say she is just some idiot bluffing and trying to scare people.

Was I right to tell her not to worry? Could someone actually do that? Even on a Macintosh, Linux or Windows?

I just want to be sure in case the next person isn't just a bluffer. I also told my friend just to stay off those chat site but... I don't think she will listen.

Anyway... discuss?

Thanks! ^^

 

[miles01110]

Was I right to tell her not to worry? Could someone actually do that? Even on a Macintosh, Linux or Windows?

Yes, yes, yes/yes/yes.

But a real hacker wouldn't make threats, they'd just do it.

 

[yg17]

You can't just hack into someone's computer and get all their stuff just because you have the IP address. In fact, being behind even the cheapest broadband router is typically enough to protect you assuming you don't have DMZ turned on.

 

[burns863]

Well, my friend is a Mac user (running 10.6.2 Snow Leopard) and was on ICQ last night and some lady (named Brandi_ and later Brookke) started talking to my friend. She got my friend's IP by the /whois (name) and pasted it saying she would hack into her computer, copy all her files and anything she ever typed on her computer and send it to her parents by email (she also claimed she got her phone number) and would use all this unless she did was she was told. She also said (when my friend refused) that she was going to include computer viruses and that she should be prepared to get a new computer.

(anybody that truly knows anything about a computer knows buying a new computer just because it got a virus is stupid.)

My friend isn't exactly really super smart with computers (though she isn't stupid) I told her not to worry and that the lady was bluffing. SHe never got any phone calls, no weird computer things... her parents didn't get emails. I think it's safe to say she is just some idiot bluffing and trying to scare people.

Was I right to tell her not to worry? Could someone actually do that? Even on a Macintosh, Linux or Windows?

I just want to be sure in case the next person isn't just a bluffer. I also told my friend just to stay off those chat site but... I don't think she will listen.

Anyway... discuss?

Thanks! ^^

Oh god...

 

[Kristenn]

You can't just hack into someone's computer and get all their stuff just because you have the IP address. In fact, being behind even the cheapest broadband router is typically enough to protect you assuming you don't have DMZ turned on.

That's what I figured. Plus her firewall log reported nothing weird. Just the normal apps she allows access to.

I just wanted to be sure. I have a feeling even if you could hack with an IP address, it would be really limited access.