Do Security Programs Prevent Hackers From Snooping?

[Leo6]

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm starting to get suspicious. Almost every time that I wake up my computer from "Sleep" mode, I will see that one of the icons on my screen is highlighted. The icon in question is for a program that I wasn't even using during my last session. Quite often it will be an icon that I haven't clicked on in weeks or even several months. Also, I've noticed that each time I wake up my computer, the highlighted icon will be the next one to the one that was highlighted the last time, the next one in line, one after the other, in perfect order. Is this a normal function of my OS or some program(s) or is someone able to get past my security software and snoop through my computer?

 

[samuria]

Its proberleythe mouse moved a bit during shut down. People could get into your system depending on you security settings

 

[file3456]

No, this is probably strange but common Windows behavior especially with using sleep mode. You really shouldn't use that mode as I've read countless threads here and elsewhere where those power saving modes cause issues. You're far better off just shutting down the computer completely.

As to security and all that, I could write a book. For starters, check your IP here, then go here and paste it in the search box. If you see open ports, etc, you better take care of that in the router. I would advise you to also stay abreast of any and all router firmware updates. Just like Windows this is very important and most people don't do it and then their router is turned into a botnet/zombie. I see this all the time with connections to my website. Don't use port forwarding unless you need to, turn off UPnP and change the default user name and password for the router.

That's just the router. For your computer there are many different things you can do. For starters. Scan all downloads at Virus Total and check out Sandboxie for your browser.

 

[file3456]

I see you're using IE 10. If you want to use IE which I don't recommend, then I believe there is a version 11. So update it.