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Computer column: Scam, hoax or hijacked? Computer's cursor has life of its own after 'computer man' pays call

Eyal Goldshmid
Special to TCPalm

Q: Someone is using my cursor to go into my computer, get my banking information and put games on my system. This started soon after my computer man did some work on my machine, and this behavior starts up as soon as I turn on my computer. What can I do?

-- Millie H., Vero Beach

A: According to what's written above, it sounds like your system may have been hijacked, but some of the details are atypical of such an act as well, so it's hard to say. 

For example, the fact that you see your cursor moving about and searching for things without your guidance is indeed a sign of a potential hijacking via remote access. 

But the other details seem like they are part of a different scenario. How do you know the cursor is looking for banking information specifically, for example? Have you watched it find some? Also, as it searches your system, is it literally clicking through your files and folders for banking statements specifically, or is it trying to log into your banking website? Or something else?

A jumping cursor is a common complaint about laptops. This happens because of an over-sensitive touchpad placed behind the keyboard in a way that causes constant "grazing" by the palm or fingers

And why would it install games? And what sorts of games is it installing? And why games and not something else? 

Unfortunately, without knowing more about what your "computer man" was doing to your system, or what was wrong with the system beforehand to merit the need for his service, it's hard to diagnose the situation accurately. This could be part a repair process, for example, or it might be something else entirely.

Given the uncertainty, your best bet is to speak with your "computer man" directly and get an idea of what was done and why. In doing so also explain what you're experiencing and be sure to mention that it sounds like something malicious may have made its way onto your system as a result of his work. Your computer man, if he's legitimate (see below), should provide answers and a fix if needed.  

On the flip side, please make sure this is not a hoax. A popular scam these days involves someone calling your house, claiming they represent Microsoft or a similar company, and stating they need access to your computer immediately so they can remove a virus they somehow found on your computer. All of these claims are false, naturally, and such a scam is done just to steal your identity and put viruses on your machine. 

In this case, and if this is who you are referring to as your "computer man," then you'll want to avoid any future contact with this person, take the machine to a legitimate shop to get it examined and cleaned up and also call the authorities. 

For additional steps on what to do if your computer gets hijacked, visit this URL: 

Contact Eyal Goldshmid @

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