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Help Hacked

Angela LaPrime

Angela LaPrime

Newbie
My laptop was hacked by someone I thought could be trusted to "check" his email. He connected my laptop to my husband's laptop & to his also. He made it completely accessible by changing settings & passwords. Therefore he was able to compromise all my accounts from Google to Facebook to PayPal to all my photos. He even had my texts backed up where he could read them. I got my HTC M8 about 4 weeks ago & he was even able to connect my new phone also although he's never touched my phone. It's been a nightmare. I restored my phone back to factory but I've noticed not everything goes away. How do I completely recover my HTC M8 so all traces of potential tracking goes away? I have Avast now but it's not catching anything. I'm very suspicious of some apps that are on my device.

Thanks :)
 
Welcome to AndroidForums.com Angela. I think the first step is to make sure the phone is truly back to factory state, so I moved your thread to the M8 forum where other device owners can lend a hand.
 
One small step - change your Google password (and use 2 factor authentication) since many aspects of the phone are accessed through Google. Sorry if this is obvious/already done.
 
T
Unforgiven said:
Welcome to AndroidForums.com Angela. I think the first step is to make sure the phone is truly back to factory state, so I moved your thread to the M8 forum where other device owners can lend a hand.
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Thank you because I'm probably going to have more questions. I'm new here so I appreciate your patience.
 
electricpete said:
One small step - change your Google password (and use 2 factor authentication) since many aspects of the phone are accessed through Google. Sorry if this is obvious/already done.
Click to expand...

I did that. My password would just get changed on me again. It took me two weeks to get my Facebook back for instance. I had to close my bank account & I still haven't gotten PayPal back. I went to a friend's & used her WiFi & laptop to create me a new Gmail. But the way this phone is acting I have a gut feeling it's not over. I appreciate you taking out time to address this.
 
EarlyMon said:
To completely wipe the phone, do a factory data reset and format internal storage and the sd card (if you have one).

Back up any priceless photos, music, etc to your laptop first.
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I know how to do a factory data reset but I'm not completely certain on hohow to format the internal storage. I'm a fast learner & could probably easily figure it out but I'm up for tips :)
 
Angela LaPrime said:
I know how to do a factory data reset but I'm not completely certain on hohow to format the internal storage. I'm a fast learner & could probably easily figure it out but I'm up for tips :)
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If your M8 is running KitKat, scroll to the bottom of the reset list, there are check buttons for internal (erase all data) and sd card erasure.

On Lollipop, the music/pictures/etc are erased by default and just the sd card has a check box at the bottom.
 
EarlyMon said:
If your M8 is running KitKat, scroll to the bottom of the reset list, there are check buttons for internal (erase all data) and sd card erasure.

On Lollipop, the music/pictures/etc are erased by default and just the sd card has a check box at the bottom.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I will do that this evening. Thanks for the help :)
 
Another question (I haven't had time to restore yet but will today): my Bluetooth keeps turning itself on. I can turn it off & a few minutes later it's back on again. Is this a known security issue with the M8 or is that a sign that I'm still hacked?
 
Angela LaPrime said:
Another question (I haven't had time to restore yet but will today): my Bluetooth keeps turning itself on. I can turn it off & a few minutes later it's back on again. Is this a known security issue with the M8 or is that a sign that I'm still hacked?
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It's more likely a configuration issue.

If you have NFC on, turn that off along with Bluetooth.
 
My text messages & phone data are still being shared without my consent & Avast Mobile Security isn't picking up what is used to make this happen. No one has had access to my HTC. I'm not quite sure how this is happening although certain things I'm finding to be suspicious & the research I started doing is proving that I have a serious problem here!
 
Angela LaPrime said:
My text messages & phone data are still being shared without my consent & Avast Mobile Security isn't picking up what is used to make this happen. No one has had access to my HTC. I'm not quite sure how this is happening although certain things I'm finding to be suspicious & the research I started doing is proving that I have a serious problem here!
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Have you changed your Gmail credentials?

After you did the factory data reset, did it re-install everything that was on it before?
 
Are you sure that it's not someone just logged in to your Google / gmail profile on your laptop? is it just the fact google is still trying to sync everything?

TBH, unless whoever borrowed your laptop is a genius compared to the people on here trying to help you, I think you may be seeing things that aren't there. Just change your gmail/google password on the laptop and your phone and see what happens
 
rod9669 said:
Are you sure that it's not someone just logged in to your Google / gmail profile on your laptop? is it just the fact google is still trying to sync everything?

TBH, unless whoever borrowed your laptop is a genius compared to the people on here trying to help you, I think you may be seeing things that aren't there. Just change your gmail/google password on the laptop and your phone and see what happens
Click to expand...

I'm not imagining anything. He is in fact an IT tech. It's a long story but no need to get into details. I'm not a computer guru but I have taught myself a lot & can do quite a bit by myself. However since I'm new to the android world & I've learned a lot from this forum I thought I'd get help here since it does need to be addressed quick.
 
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