Internet connection piracy?

[Dancing David]

Yeah, I had a Comodore 64...sigh...

 

[CORed]

Are you sure your router isn't wireless? A large car dealership over the road from me was pumping out a wireless signal, the router admin password was set to the factory default (we had the same router where I worked) and file and print sharing was turned on!. I called them up to tell them and they told me they "didn't have a wireless router"...

When I invited him over and showed him I could access his computer's folders, he made a really quick call to his IT support guy!

To fire him, I hope.

 

[Wangler]

Satellite internet connection?

That might be the non-wired link of the chain that is getting compromised.

 

[mikeyx]

Do you have a wireless router? If so, check that you have wireless security enabled (preferably WPA); you may also want to change your wireless password just in case.

I'd also suggest using other malware programs, specifically SpyBot Search & Destroy and possibly Avast or AVG Anti-Virus (all free for personal use).

If you're really paranoid, get a live Linux CD (e.g. Ubuntu), boot off that, and use ClamAV to scan your hard drive. More work, but it might catch hidden ("root kit") malware.

Your firewall should also be able to tell you what is generating traffic.

Finally, presuming you have a cable or DSL modem with blinken lights, you can watch them for activity.

Worst case: take your computer to trusted shop (if you can find one) to be scanned. They can scan the HD without booting from it, and should be using multiple good quality tools. (A hack shop, though, will just run basically what you've done.)

ETA: The reason for the wireless question is that there are at least two attack vectors. One is via your wireless network, and would have nothing to do with your computer; it'd be basically someone nearby connecting to your network. The other attack vector - and the one you're suspecting - is malware on your computer(s). [If you have multiple computers, or other networked devices, they should be checked as well.]

good advice, also, back up data (duh), go hard wired only, and get the brand name drive appropriate low level format utility, format it factory fresh, and then if you were using windows, stop using windows, if paranoid, encrypted linux, netbsd or opensolaris are good for paranoid minds. Not to mention various mac address, encryption and like utilities.

Nessus is also a good freeware security scanner.