a hacker sent me a link to an image and then he told me that he is now able to........?

You know, I don't have clue one as to WHERE some of these people are getting their information from, but,

First of all, if a hacker sent you an image via email, and you clicked on the link, then YES! He could absolutely have hidden a nice virus, or more likely a RAT, inside that link to infect your computer.

A RAT is a remote access trojan, which he can use to take over your computer, however, the infection is on your computer, not in your router, so,

Calling your IPS to have your IP changed won't work! It has nothing to do with your internet service. He's blocking the service from working on YOUR computer, not from reaching your house.

Most likely, your mom's computer isn't infected, just yours.

Unplugging everything? Well, that's just silly. Viruses can't hide in electricity or monitors--only on your hard drive. However, with SOME internet services, when you replug everything back in, you will automatically be reassigned a new IP address, but again, most likely, the infection is in YOUR computer, so even a new IP address won't solve your problem, UNLESS...

...The one poster above who suggested this hacker may be conducting a DOS, or denial of service attack, is correct. If this is the case, then the other poster is also correct, a DOS attack simply floods your service with so much data, that you can't send anything through. It wouldn't allow him any access to your mom's computer, and in this case, changing your IP address MIGHT solve the problem, HOWEVER....

....if he did infect YOUR computer, then he'll probably be able to get your new IP address shortly after it's been assigned. So you need to get his infection or RAT off your computer first.

As far as running a "system restore" goes? Well, if he's any kind of hacker, then he's already disabled the "system restore"--I mean, that's the first thing I'd do!

So first of all, go to CNet.com and download some good FREE AV (antivirus) software, and run it, such as Avast, AVG, Malwarebites, and Superantispyware--for starters. Just don't run them all at the same time though! See what they pick up.

If any of them WON'T install or run, then you DEFINITELY have a RAT or virus on your computer, in which case, you will need to use a different computer to download them, put them on a flash drive, and then start your computer in "safe mode" first before installing and running them.

To do this, while restarting your computer, keep tapping gently on the "f8" key until the selection menu appears. When it does, select "safe mode" and then hit enter. When your computer finishes rebooting, the screen will look somewhat strange, but that's normal for "safe mode." Then, put in your flash drive in the USB slot to install and run the AV programs.

You can also boot up in "safe mode" and then try a "system restore" which will sometimes work as well.

If neither of these work to remove the virus, then download "Hijack This!" and copy the log file to submit to a tekkie on the internet to analyze and recommend manual steps to remove the virus or RAT, however, I've found that usually Malwarebites or Superantispyware removes MOST viruses and RATS rather effectively.

Best of luck!

Oh, and hackers can't usually continue a DOS attack for an extended period of time as it eats up their computer resources as well. After removing the virus though, THEN I might see about changing your IP address, but only after removing the virus(s) or RAT completely.

How long have you had the modem? It's very possible that your modem is failing. I had similar problems with a DSL modem that would cut out intermittently and I ended up replacing it and problem solved.

As far as the IP and subnet info anybody can get that from the logs of their web server so don't be concerned about that. Any time you visit a website your IP address is collected in their logs.

Hell, if I had to guess, I'd guess that your subnet was 255.255.255.0 since that's what every subnet I've seen from an ISP has been so this "hacker" hasn't pulled any great feat.

The ONLY way that the person would be able to get your mother's credit card info, short of stealing your mail, would be to install a remote access trojan on your computer that would allow the "hacker" to install a keylogger on your mother's computer which seems like a really roundabout way to do that. Someone really wanting to get your mother's credit card would try to attack or install malware on her computer directly.

This so called hacker is full of crap. You need to contact your ISP and alert them to the fact that someone is threatening you.

What chat program were you using when this person sent you the link? You need to contact the support and report this person and what they're doing.

Stop making your life miserable over this and get it resolved.

You just fell for a Social Engineering attack. You weren't actually attacked, but the "hacker" fooled you into disconnecting your internet (that was the real attack).

I work in Information Assurance (computer security) for Cisco. Let me assure you that by visiting an image, your computer WAS NOT compromised. What happened, most likely, is that he logged your ip address by inserting a php code into the image. That's all. He has your ip address, not a big deal.

As for your subnet mask, it is 255.255.255.0 (that's practically everybody's). He cannot hack your computer with an ip and subnet mask alone; however, I would recommend changing it to be safe (contact your ISP to do that).

In conclusion, you "hacked" your own computer. From the sound of it, his goal was to scare you, and he succeeded. Let me reiterate that your computer cannot be hacked by simply visiting an image.

As for your internet problems, they are probably unrelated to the hacker. Everybody has connection issues now and then.

Now, it is POSSIBLE that he is conducting a Denial of Service attack (DoS attack). That is where he sends large amounts of data to your modem to make it go slower. However, such an attack does not allow him access into your computer, or access to your mother's credit card. Simply changing your ip address will prevent this.

EDIT: DO NOT TRY WHAT THE PERSON BELOW ME IS SUGGESTING! He has no idea what he is talking about. Viruses cannot hide in your monitor. And, as I have already said, you do not even have a virus. Completely disregard his post. I don't know what a "sycuritys expert" is; however, I hold a Masters degree in Computer Science, have undergone extensive information assurance training, and work for the largest computer security company in the world.

P.S. E-mail me the link he sent you. I want to check it out.

you have to try 3 things

first: unplug every thing including power internet and any thing else connected to it. you must unplug everything. the Monitor too.

this is a virus so it can hid any were. in the electricity in the internet cords or just in your screen. so you have to make it so that it will die. you see if it has no energy or storage it will disappears.

second: do this only if the first didn't work. this is impotent. you must erase all of your memory from a Certain time period. this is what you call a system restore. i don't know what type of comp. you have but for most you

go to start a

hit all programs

then to Accessories

then System tools

then to system restore

after that it will ask you a date you click the day before you started to have problems. then it will do a restart you will then wait about 20 to 30 Min's for it to restore its self. that should do it.

the last one it as a last priority. GOT IT! this is impotent because this will erase every peace of info you have in your computer. (except. the protocols, system, and Essentials.) you should have this professionally done. take it to best buy and have the geek squad take care of it. i'm saying this because if i told you how to do this you would probably screw it up and your system would be trashed. no offence but the last time i did this some one called in a pissy mood and started yelling at me.

i hope this helps if any other questions email me at mvasily@yahoo.com

Contrary to some posted opinions, there ARE image metafile exploits, if your system is not configured properly, with service paks installed.

To verify your systems status on this aspect, go to the GRC site and run the 'MICE' utility:

http://www.grc.com/wmf/wmf.htm

Unless you have a 'static' IP (and most home accounts do not) whenever you recycle your router, you will get a new IP (this is a 'dynamic' IP).

If your Internet is disconnecting every so often, go into the Administrative interface, and make sure it has 'always connected' rather than a disconnect time interval.

Aqua Man, Seems to be right with that one, it's not your only choice but probably the easiest, if for some reason you cant phone "due to your mom finding out" you could maybe try a different anti-virus software or do a full system restore

also this guy could be completely lying to you and your internet might just be a little bit slow or bad connectivity sometimes

as long as you all know the wireless key (password you would not need an admin to run it) (internet connection sharing) the owner of the router should set the wireless network's ssid and wireless key and security types the wireless key is the password to use the wireless link and the routers admin is the person who owns the router and has/maybe not set a admin password for the router however some games or apps may need something called port forwarding to ensure their traffic get thou and will require the routers admin to set them up but if you want to setup file/printer shareing(over the network) then you would need to join a workgroup and that might need somebody with the right knowage to set up and trobleshoot probelms 3rd party firewalls are the top connectity problems for file and printer sharing

Phone your ISP and get them to change your ip address.