Loss of financial information

sequitur

I have a serious problem. I've been using KeyPass for the last year or so to hold all my ID's, pin numbers, secret questions, and other info for my banks, investments, and other sites. I can't recall all that was on KeyPass.



A few days ago, the KeyPass window was blank and all my info was gone. I've been backing up every day on an external HD with Time machine and SuperDuper.



Keypass is not on SuperDuper at all. Evidently, when it was lost within the last few days, it was not backed up as usual and deleted.



No matter how far back I go with Time Machine, the Keypass info is gone. What's the use of backing up if info can be lost that easily and you are unable to find it?



Time Machine tells me that my pin number is incorrect and the information is not available. I have that pin number (that I've been using for over a year) in my wallet. It IS correct.



I had purged all that financial from other computer files so that no one else could see it. Now, I have lost all that info and have no way to find it on my computer.



I'm beginning to wonder if my computer was hacked or compromised in some way, and KeyPass info was taken and/or deleted..



I also have other problems such as AI and other sites not remembering my ID or pin; FireFox has taken over as my primary browser instead of Safari. I had not instigated that or allowed FireFox to be my primary browser.



I had downloaded Adobe Snippet and a sample of Little Snitch just before KeyPass was missing. Could one of those have deleted KeyPass without informing me first?



Is there a way to find my info on Time Machine so it's usable - or anyway to find it on my computer.



Otherwise I have no way of accessing my financial info. I'd appreciate any help or suggestions I can get to help retrieve that info.



I am desperate, frightened, and have a huge knot in the pit of my stomach.

jag_warrior

I hope someone has a suggestion for you. Just reading that made me feel a bit queasy.

sequitur

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior


I hope someone has a suggestion for you. Just reading that made me feel a bit queasy.

Thanks. I've been able to phone two banks and get ID's and pin numbers changed. I'll continue to try to get another bank and investment sites that I can recall; however, there are a bunch I can't recall. Using a program is like using Speed Dial on a phone. You forget the actual phone numbers.



I've been using computers for over thirty years and although I've lost info when it wasn't backed up, this is the first time I've lost important info when it was backed up by Time Machine and SuperDrive to an external HDD. I've learned a lesson; never to trust a program purporting to keep info safe. This includes the Cloud. From now on, I'll keep a paper copy in my Safe Deposit Box.



Another problem I've had is a continuous barrage of pop ups from FireFox demanding that extensions be accepted. I may have to delete the FireFox browser.



Interestingly, when I use SpotLight to look for KeyPass, a PDF of Adobe's Snippet Runner Cookbook pops up, but NOT keypass. I had downloaded Snippet just before I lost KeyPass.

sequitur

On checking for software updates, I found this: Java for Mac OS X 10.6 update 8. I ran it and it said I had had flashback malware and it eliminated it. I don't know if Flashback was the source of my problem; however, Flashback is gone now and I shouldn't have to worry about it.



I still have the problem of loss of the KeyPass dbase and how to retrieve the info. I'm irritated that Time Machine doesn't have my info even though I backed it up. What's the use of Time Machine if it doesn't have the info saved?

egrar

both system relies on an encrypted database.. when it get to the wrong hands, as long as you got a good master password, you'll be fine. If your not sure when you got this recent malware I suggest that you do a system reinstall, It wont help you recovering your password file but at least your going to use a secure environment recovering those passwords, use a keyfile for keypass for added security, store your keepass file in the cloud, like spideroak (secure) or cloudsafe.. and keep your keyfile some where safe like a usb thumbdrive, and or better yet to another cloud service like Dropbox..

sequitur

Quote:

Originally Posted by egrar


both system relies on an encrypted database.. when it get to the wrong hands, as long as you got a good master password, you'll be fine. If your not sure when you got this recent malware I suggest that you do a system reinstall, It wont help you recovering your password file but at least your going to use a secure environment recovering those passwords, use a keyfile for keypass for added security, store your keepass file in the cloud, like spideroak (secure) or cloudsafe.. and keep your keyfile some where safe like a usb thumbdrive, and or better yet to another cloud service like Dropbox..

Thanks for the tips. I've changed passwords at banks, etc, and requested holds in the event of abnormal activity. I've watched the acc'ts, but haven't noticed anything wrong, so you're probably right about the master password protecting the database.



Questions:

One, how do I go about setting up a keyfile for KeyPass?



Two, have the Cloud and/or Dropbox been vetted enough to know they are safe? I guess I'm paranoid now.



Three, I downloaded Little Snitch just before KeyPass disappeared. Could my ineptness with that app caused KeyPass to be deleted?



Four, when I used Spotlight to try to find KeyPass, it brought up Adobe Snippet which I had recently downloaded. Is it possible that Snippet caused the problem?



I don't expect you to know all the answer, but maybe someone else would know.