unsecured network

unsecured network (Full Version)

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slvemike4u -> unsecured network (7/12/2008 8:54:20 AM)
Last night as I shut down my Laptop my computer advised me that their was another computer on my network and I risked losing data if I proceeded with the shut down.Now their is no other computer linked with my laptop...is it possible one of my neighbors is privy to all I do ,all the sites I visit and all I say....the worry isn't about someone getting internet acess ,but the piggy-backing of my computer....please let me know if I have been outed by my own stupidity...Thank You in advance

MmeGigs -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 10:06:57 AM)
If you are have a home wireless network, it's entirely possible that a neighbor is connecting to it. Pretty much any computer with a wireless card that's within range can hop on unless your network is secured to prevent such things. Look in the instructions for your wireless router for information on how to lock the thing down if you're concerned about other people having access to it. It's unlikely that they're privy to what you're doing with your computer. They're getting access to your internet connection through your wireless network, but unless they've got tools and skills they can't get into your computer or look at your internet traffic. My daughter's computer uses my wireless connection, but we can't see what's on each other's computers or where we go on the web. We can tell if the other is doing something bandwidth-initensive and that's about it. I don't bother with securing my wireless network because I live in the middle of nowhere and you'd have to be in my driveway in order to pick up the signal. If I were in town I'd have it locked down.

ownedgirlie -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 10:14:55 AM)
I agree, it's unlikely. My wireless connection went down for awhile and I connected to my neighbor's. When I go visit friends who do not have wireless, I see who is unsecured out there and connect to them. Unless you have the tools and skills, you can't get into someone's system. However, if you have a concern, you can always secure your network. Call your ISP provider and have them walk you through it. I secured my own network because that's how my IT buddy set me up.

DomMeinCT -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 10:35:52 AM)
It would be very good practice for you to secure your wireless network with a good, random password. If you don't have instructions with your router, go to the manufacturer's website; they often have more info there.

slvemike4u -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 10:40:51 AM)
Thanks to all that posted,my laptop is password protected so based on what I'm reading here my concern that someone is shadowing where I go seems to be unfounded,as far as them getting the signal for internet access I could care less....maybe they need it...again thanks for the help posters....mike

Thadius -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:05:20 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slvemike4u Thanks to all that posted,my laptop is password protected so based on what I'm reading here my concern that someone is shadowing where I go seems to be unfounded,as far as them getting the signal for internet access I could care less....maybe they need it...again thanks for the help posters....mike Actually, that would also depend on your network settings. Also if you have any sort of file sharing enabled. One more point, even if it is unlikely, if they have access to your network (which they would need to access the internet), they could sniff packets and theoreticly see what you are doing, including login information. What brand of wireless router are you using?

Termyn8or -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:24:07 AM)
I think that message means that Windows is doing something in the background. It says YOU can lose data. If it is Windoes, most of the tiome it automatically updates. Another person connecting through your wireless might be doing it inadvertently. And really it does not matter, if they do anything illegal they still have their own IP, if they consime too much bandwidth it is a simple matter to shut the connection down. If it is set to connect automatically, don't be surprised if it shows it is connected to more than one carrier. It can happen, especially in urban areas. But that particular message says YOU could lose data, not somebody else. I think it is just doing something "under the hood" so to speak. T

Thadius -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:38:48 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Termyn8or I think that message means that Windows is doing something in the background. It says YOU can lose data. If it is Windoes, most of the tiome it automatically updates. Another person connecting through your wireless might be doing it inadvertently. And really it does not matter, if they do anything illegal they still have their own IP, if they consime too much bandwidth it is a simple matter to shut the connection down. If it is set to connect automatically, don't be surprised if it shows it is connected to more than one carrier. It can happen, especially in urban areas. But that particular message says YOU could lose data, not somebody else. I think it is just doing something "under the hood" so to speak. T Term, Actually most routers assign an ip behind the firewall, so anything seen outside would come from the same IP, the mac addy would be different, but the IP would be that assigned to the router by the ISP. I assked for the type of router, because I was going to point him in the direction of being able to see who is connected to it, and how to secure some loose ends.

slvemike4u -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:50:27 AM)
Thadius I am not home right now and unfortunately off the top of my head the browser manufacturer escapes this old head....i will get back to You on the other side if that's all right with You....and again thank You to all that took the time to answer my inane question

Thadius -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:57:19 AM)
Not a problem, feel free to send it to my box.

DomKen -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 3:37:36 PM)
Securing a wireless network is something I strongly recommend. Most network software views nodes on the local network to be trusted so the level of security provided by your firewall may be very different than what you expect. You should have a way to log in to the router to establish a password. If possible use a secure program like ssh for this if possible that way no useful info would be available to packet sniffers. Even if you can't don't secure your network you should definitely verify that you have no drives or directories setup for sharing. That way a malicious user can't simply remotely delete/copy all your data.

DomMeinCT -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 9:43:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DomKen Securing a wireless network is something I strongly recommend. Most network software views nodes on the local network to be trusted so the level of security provided by your firewall may be very different than what you expect. You should have a way to log in to the router to establish a password. If possible use a secure program like ssh for this if possible that way no useful info would be available to packet sniffers. Even if you can't don't secure your network you should definitely verify that you have no drives or directories setup for sharing. That way a malicious user can't simply remotely delete/copy all your data. I agree completely with you and Thadius. OP, as altruistic as it might feel, you should not be giving away bandwidth to anyone you don't know. There is mischief that could ensue with someone using it.

DomKen -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:05:54 PM)
An important thing to keep in mind is that to the outside world all computers on the same router share the same IP address which means if the unknown user sends spam or does something else illegal when they come to your door the evidence will simply point to you and no where else. I'd hate to try and convince a jury that it was some mysterious stranger who gained access to my home network.

slvemike4u -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:09:13 PM)
Thanks again posters,looks like i have some things to do tomorrow when I get home!

ArizonaSunSwitch -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:25:28 PM)
It's a 50/50 situation. The record companies have dropped song downloading cases when the defendant has claimed he had an unsecured wireless network (and he wasn't an IT professional who should know better) and he didn't download the songs in question. The last thing the record companies want to do is lose one of these cases and have it become precedent so they haven't bothered trying to counter those claims. So if you don't work in IT and you happen to download music (without paying for it) you might be better off leaving things open. On the other hand, someone might come along and use your unsecured Internet connection to send an email to their least favorite politician suggesting that he'd like to help said politician transition to their next adventure in some fairly spectacular (not to mention non-consensual) way. If that happens you'll get people at your doorstep wanting to talk to you. I'd suggest securing your network or getting help from someone to do it for you.

slvemike4u -> RE: unsecured network (7/12/2008 11:37:22 PM)
ROTFLMAO non-consensual !!!!!!

slvemike4u -> RE: unsecured network (7/13/2008 11:25:08 AM)
Hey Guys Thanks ...got some help from a local friend and secured the network....password protected all around ...thanks to all

Thadius -> RE: unsecured network (7/13/2008 1:59:40 PM)
You would be surprised at how many businesses don't take the time to secure their wireless networks, hell many don't even change the default login info for the router.

subtex -> RE: unsecured network (7/13/2008 3:19:39 PM)
One other thing while you're in there changing the password. Turn off the beacon. Just look for the word beacon on the webpage for your router. If your beaon isn't on people won't even know your router is there unless they really know what they are doing. Still though that error doesn't make any sense to me. Even if another computer was logged onto your router your computer shouldn't care as far as I can figure. Maybe the error said something else though like process running?

DomKen -> RE: unsecured network (7/13/2008 3:22:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: subtex One other thing while you're in there changing the password. Turn off the beacon. Just look for the word beacon on the webpage for your router. If your beaon isn't on people won't even know your router is there unless they really know what they are doing. Still though that error doesn't make any sense to me. Even if another computer was logged onto your router your computer shouldn't care as far as I can figure. Maybe the error said something else though like process running? Actually the error message the OP reported can be caused by someone on the network having a file or directory on a share open. It's why I included making sure he had no shares on his laptop.

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