Wireless Routers

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
Wireless Routers
12
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 2:27pm

I have a Belkin wireless router for my laptop and my next door neighbor informed me recently that he could connect to it at will. He also said that someone else in the neighborhood has a wireless system and said that he could actually see her "going's on" online. I'm totally paranoid now.

Does anyone else have a wireless router or know anything about them and why he can connect even though I have a firewall? Well, I know why he can connect, that makes sense but the part about being able to see what my neighbor is doing on line is really freaking me out.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 2:37pm

Since you have a firewall, he probably can't see what you're doing online (your neighbor may not have a firewall), but I can't be sure about that.

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 2:53pm

I just found this article if anyone is curious(thanks, Stacey):

http://www.shandyking.com/2007/02/18/hijack-hacked-linksys-wireless-router/

Okay, the above link basically tells a story, but if you happen to have a wireless router, the link below will show you how to protect yourself:

http://grownupgeek.com/wireless

Ahh, I feel much safer now. I guess this goes to show that the reading material included with hardware is there for a reason ; ) Of course, I usually toss it aside and try it the quickie, trial and error approach. Maybe I'm a changed woman now. Hmm.




Edited 5/4/2007 3:24 pm ET by cfk_3
Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cfk_3
Fri, 05-04-2007 - 6:26pm

My local news station just did a report on this last night.

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 1:19am

I went in and made up a password, rebooted, entered it in and Microsoft *should* remember it for me. Although, of course I wrote it down somewhere, too. I went back in and checked and now it says that it's a secured wireless network whereas before, it said unsecured. I think I'll go a step further and call Belkin either tomorrow or Monday.

I don't bank online, but could you imagine? Scary. I wonder if your local reporter gave anyone any ideas. That would suck for those who did not see the piece.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 5:44am
Just make sure you make it security protected. Change the name of it to a totally secure name and wep protect it and map sequence it so that only your computer can access it. I did that to mine and so only my computer and my two tivos can access my wireless network. And you should change the name of it every few months too.

Smile,

Deirdre

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2003
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 12:37pm

LOL I made my wireless network SO secure that when I needed help my tech-friend was unable to log on remotely via msn to help. When he came over to work on the computer directly he was shocked at just how well I had secured the laptop and I don't even have a friggin clue how I did it.

Be careful - to this day my computer has problems and they all relate back to whatever I did - the only soluton will be to wipe it out and start over. I constantly have trouble connecting because the combination of firewalls and network passwords etc have made it an absolute maze for connecting tothe net. It makes me laugh - classic situation of good intentions gone wrong. I've been told I know just enough about computers to be dangerous - this is perfect proof :-)

He told me at his house they've got no password on their network because with him being a tech he has the ability to individually locate and lock out the offenders that use his network - he's sent out emails directly to them indicating he knows they're doing it and to stop - - - and has said to me if they don't stop there's things he can do :-) But he has a good point - we're in residential neighbourhoods and don't have "business info" on our machines. He's a security expert for computers - basically that's his main focus in any job he takes on for businesses - beefing up their security . . . he said it's SHOCKING how most business don't have a clue what holes they have in their systems.

While I know how to log onto someone elses network (I've had to on occasoin when my wireless is acting up - again, a side effect of how flipping secure I made it) but I'd have absolutely NO clue how to see their activity or anything.

If I ever get a lesson from my friend on how to turn the tables as he does I'm going to remove all my passwords and have some fun with the offenders who log onto my network ;-)

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 12:45pm
Thanks for the tips!
Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 1:56pm
I have this thing on my pc, forget what you call it, but I can go in, select a date and it will automatically reconfigure to the settings from that date. Basically, if I have gone in and screwed something up, I can undo it. I've already had to use it once and it worked like a charm!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 2:03pm
Well I am completely aware of what my network passwords are and what my wep security is and how to change it and what my map sequencing is. It's written down in a book as well in case I forget. LOL

Smile,

Deirdre

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2003
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 05-05-2007 - 5:37pm

yeah I'm not talking about forgetting a password or code though :-)

Just making things so tight that any attempt to connect requires a tonne of effort for the computer etc . .so when I asked him why things were so slow (webpages to load etc) he said it was because the machine now had to go through a maze to find it's way onto the website.

Makes sense.

But yeah - it's not about "forgetting" a password

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