Posted on 11/18/2006 8:00:00 AM PST by wesley_windam-price
Hi there: When I am on the road, I often "borrow" wireless connection on unsecured networks. I am not doing anything malicious but is there a danger of the host network compromising my computer, such as accessing my files or capturing passwords when I enter them in on the browser.
Thanks for any info you can offer.
I'd say that about sums it up.
You want free, don't go to your banking site when you're stealing service.
Yes, they could access your Windows shared folders if you have it enabled over TCP/IP (and most everyone does).
However, normally you'll need your Windows password for that, provided you have one.
And yes, they can write a proxy server which will capture all incoming traffic.
BUT... few will do this. Few even know how. If you connect to a router named "netgear" or "linksys" or "default," 999 out of 1000 of them will be a basic, unconfigured, unsecured router where the owner doesn't know enough to enable security, let alone steal passwords.
The danger is always there when you are "connected." Somewhat depends on what protection you normally use.
Change your accounts now. Your identity has already been stolen.
And once they have captured the MAC address of your computer's wireless card, they will be able to tell each time you come back.
I believe it depends on your connection mode. Wifi encryption is decoded at the access point and could be intercepted, but secure web pages (https) and VPN connections should be relatively safe.
I have to say this has been a big success: my IP service is once again blazing fast, and no more do I get those odd pop-ups. Oh yeah -- and this is the truth -- over the next few weeks I noticed the Cox Cable truck making several visits to my neighbors.
I've been told they can, but I can't say how.
Stop stealing. It isn't right.
If they can damage the one from whom they're borrowing, it's not "borrowing." :-( That's stealing.
As long as you have physical control over the router or access point, you can see everything coming through. Whether it actually means anything to you (because it's encrypted) is a different story.
With the right tools, yes.
Guess I'll just stay my archaic, li'l old wired-in self.
Yes. As I said before, File Sharing is sometimes enabled on computers for one reason or another. Try this: (actually don't try this, this breaks laws in many states and is generally not a nice thing to do)
Find out your IP address (by right-clicking the icon in your Taskbar and selecting Status, then click the Support tab)
IPs are usually assigned sequentially. So, if yours is 192.168.1.103, chances are there are (or were) a 192.168.1.100, 101, 102 and maybe 104.
Knowing this, go to Start and click on Run. In the box, type "\\192.168.0.101" without the quotes. The \\'s are the backward slashes, usually above the enter key. The 192.168.1.101 is the IP address, substituted with whichever.
It's that easy to get information, provided they don't password protect it, and file sharing is on.
SO, to everyone else watching, secure your networks! Give your Windows accounts passwords!
As long as your router (connection point to another network, such as your ISP's network) is secured, you will probably be fine...unless you install spyware, adware, etc. :P
One of the reasons I went with hard wire in my house was to avoid these possibilities.
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