Am I hacked into? Mouse cursor makes sudden moves!

[sram]

Hi folks. I don't know how to say this, but let's just say it. I experience from time to time sudden mouse movements when I use my pc. It feels like as if somebody other than me is controlling the mouse! is this a hacking symptom or is it just a bug in windows or other programs? If somebody experienced this, please share your experience and how you solved the problem.


Thanks.

[The Spyder]

I had this happen with a bad logitech mouse. It would just jump all over the screen randomly. Why do you think your being hacked into? Do you run a firewall? Antivirus?

[Grentz]

Are you using a wireless mouse? Anyone else using a wireless mouse around you?

I have had this happen when someone else is using another wireless mouse in the area, even if it is not the same brand.

[sram]

I had this happen with a bad logitech mouse. It would just jump all over the screen randomly. Why do you think your being hacked into? Do you run a firewall? Antivirus?

I thought somebody else is hacking into my machine and controlling my mouse! I'm running vista 64 bit. Firewall is on and I have avira antivirus.

Are you using a wireless mouse? Anyone else using a wireless mouse around you?


I have had this happen when someone else is using another wireless mouse in the area, even if it is not the same brand.

No wireless mouse

[Grentz]

When it happens try unplugging your mouse and see if it continues.

[Orinthical]

If you are using an optical mouse - check to make sure there isn't any dust/dirt/hair stuck in the laser/led cavity. This can cause erratic mouse movements during normal operation as the mouse is reading both the surface and the movements of the dust/hair.

[SpaceHonkey]

If you are using an optical mouse - check to make sure there isn't any dust/dirt/hair stuck in the laser/led cavity. This can cause erratic mouse movements during normal operation as the mouse is reading both the surface and the movements of the dust/hair.

+1

Also, make sure you are not using it on a reflective surface (or SOLID color).

[Nenu]

Are the movements typical of those a human would/could make or are they beyond what you would consider a human would do?

[techmanc]

Shutdown your internet and network connection and see it the problem remains.

[spotdog14]

disconnect from the internet... hahah see if that helps.

[Pwyl_The_Destroyer]

I had this problem once. Replaced the mouse and it quit. It was a wired mouse.

Get a new mouse.

[techmanc]

disconnect from the internet... hahah see if that helps.

I have had my mouse being used while I was watching it. It was caused by PCAnwhere being in unsecured host mode so for me I used a hard to crack password. Now if the OP computer as some rouge remote software then yes disconnecting from the internet would stop the hacker. Of course then you would need to try to find the hack.

[MikeTrike]

Are you using a Dell mouse pad by chance? They can be defective depending on which one you have. I think this was even posted on [H] home page a long time ago.

EDIT:
Part II – Performance Evaluation: General Usage

“My mouse pad is broken.”

Without mincing words: We had significant quality of use issues with this computer.

First and most obviously, we started having problems with our optical mouse. Sometimes it would wildly fly across the screen, other times we had trouble controlling it. Those of you who have ever tried to use an optical mouse on a shiny surface know what I’m talking about.

The reason why (and I can’t believe I’m typing this) was that the mouse pad that Dell provided was too shiny and reflective to be used with their own, branded, optical mouse.

It’s no longer a tech support urban legend. We have a documented case of a computer mouse pad being “broken.”

Switching out to a flat grey mouse pad that we had lying around the office solved this problem.

Source: http://www2.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTI0LDQsLDIw


It's a possibility :p just throwing it out there :)

[cytech]

Are you using a Dell mouse pad by chance? They can be defective depending on which one you have. I think this was even posted on [H] home page a long time ago.

EDIT:


Source: http://www2.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTI0LDQsLDIw


It's a possibility :p just throwing it out there :)

i have similiar issues when i use the laptop on the coffee table, mouse just sometimes jumps arround due to the reflective surface.

also +1 on the hair dust thing, optical mice can do strange things if part of the laser is blocked.

[sram]

Thanks to all for your valuable comments. I'm using an optical mouse and I just happened to switch mouse pads. I'll change the pad again and see if that's the reason.



Thanks again.