Computer newbies: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless?
How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless?
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 10:08 AMLong story short, my new computer crashed and I had to do a complete fresh recovery cd installation and lost all of my files. 
I have a brand new (3 months old) HP 6633us and it has windows vista with 2gb of memory and 160 or 130gb harddrive. I think it may have crashed due to my downloading games or installing tuneup utilities (i installed zone alarm 2x and both times it crashed my computer).
My router was already acting up, but my modem seems to have now died as well. My modem is over 1 year old, so sbc may ask me to buy a new one.
In the mean time, I can still pick up a wireless signal from a neighbor (I am assuming).
If I set my network controls to NOT file share and to protect passwords AND I have AVG and windows, is my computer protected?
Right now most of my files are gone from my comp, so it is pretty bare bones. As long as I do not do online banking, is my comp safe while using wifi from other people?
Very unsafe.
by R. Proffitt
- 3/11/08 10:12 AM
In reply to: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless? by milliondollarbbw31
I must decline from offering examples or such but about SBC. Here they give out a new modem since the alternative is to lose your monthly fees and go with a competitor. Did you ask them to check on it?
Very unsafe?
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 10:25 AM In reply to: Very unsafe. by R. Proffitt
I will call them tonight. If all I am doing is logging onto my email, can my neighber get into my files and see my passwords and whatnot?
And why do people use free wifi in hotels and cafes, etc. if it isn't safe?
Also, if my netowrk is set to private or public, does that
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 10:26 AM In reply to: Very unsafe? by milliondollarbbw31make a difference?
I declined to cite examples.
by R. Proffitt - 3/11/08 11:06 AM
In reply to: Very unsafe? by milliondollarbbw31
It's unsafe. What more do we need to know?
sorry, just wanted clarification
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 11:12 AM In reply to: I declined to cite examples. by R. Proffitt
sorry, I just didn't know if it meant I could get more viruses, and since my computer is pretty bare at the moment, I was just wondering about checking email, chatting, and that kind of thing.
Cnet wrote about evil twins.
by R. Proffitt - 3/11/08 11:45 AM
In reply to: sorry, just wanted clarification by milliondollarbbw31
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3513_7-5630181-1.html
Using an unknown connection is unsafe. That's the answer. The possible issues are not limited to this or that but redirecting your browser to a trojan infested site and more.
If you want to know how unsafe it is, I suggest you ask for the long reply of examples and more.
Bob
thank you. :)
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 11:49 AM In reply to: Cnet wrote about evil twins. by R. Proffitt
The article helped me. 
I will definitely not do any on-line banking or tax filing until I can get my computer fixed. I just would go on to check my myspace and stuff like that. I will make sure to change my passwords when I get to a safer network.
Can neighbor see passwords & whatnot?
by Cooltruth - 3/15/08 10:52 AM In reply to: Very unsafe? by milliondollarbbw31It depends on the neighbor's hacking abilities & interest in getting into your personal stuff. If all either of you is doing is Emails, I doubt he is getting your files or other info. He may not even notice you are connecting on his network. Finding out if other people are on your wireless connection is easier to do than hacking into somebody's files/passwords/whatnots. I'm using Vista & could determine in a few clicks if there were other computers using my wireless network to get online. If it isn't slowing them down much they might not object to you doing this. Have you found out which neighbor it is? You might offer to share ISP costs if they let you use their connection. Using public access wifi is usually safe due to people being busy with what they're doing on the internet instead of busy hacking other computers on the wifi network. There's a maximum range on wifi so the hackers would have to be within 300 feet or so from the connection point. Any further than that would have to be remote hackers who could possibly get anybody's info that's not behind a secure firewall.
After system is up & running
by Willy - 3/11/08 10:52 AM In reply to: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless? by milliondollarbbw31Unsecure wi-fi: I would assume you don't go over and borrow your neighbor's bar-b-cue grill, mower, drink beer, car w/o asking first. This alone answers your question w/o further details. Thus, you would secure your wi-fi once active again.
As for SBC, ask for new parts or describe your system broadband isn't working. SBC, has if you didn't know gone to another owner besides AT&T or is AT&T. They have shipped new replacements as older equipment didn't like the new s/w being used. I knew some users who had constant security concerns and they did do proper set-up, and SBC had to re-issue PW and etc. to get them back-up. That all went away after new equipment.
tada -----Willy
Yes, your neighbor can ...
by Edward ODaniel - 3/11/08 4:17 PM In reply to: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless? by milliondollarbbw31not only access your computer (assuming your neighbor has the desire) but he can get a pretty good idea of exactly who you are and have you arrested for unlawful taking (theft in the vernacular).
Your neighbor may also be one of those who becomes easily irate and physical (your dentist might enjoy that).
As Bob already stated but you don't seem to want to hear, just get SBC to install a new modem and don't steal bandwidth.
thank you, guys
by milliondollarbbw31 - 3/11/08 4:28 PM In reply to: Yes, your neighbor can ... by Edward ODanielI definitely appreciate your input and first thing when I get home I am calling SBC.
I just was unfamiliar about using my wireless interenet because this is the first computer I have ever used with that option.
I see people using their laptops all the time in the wide open spaces, so I wasn't sure if they were using another person's signal, or if they were using a wireless card.
If I get a wireless card, then can I use my internet anywhere, AND, is it secure?
Wi-fi hot spots
by Willy - 3/11/08 5:45 PM In reply to: thank you, guys by milliondollarbbw31Fast foods restaurants like McD's and Wendy's, etc. offer wi-fi for free or small cost, thus eat and do work. As for security, that's responsibility but you should look over your shoulder now and then plus use "encrypt filing" or similar plus use typical firewall protection. Just common sense don't do too much personal finical business at such places or any other "hot spots" you may find and feel access to. areas like downtown, airports and malls may again offer free access, but that should be readily known before hand, it should become apparent what and what isn't free.
tada -----Willy
extremely unsafe
by domenicofavotto - 3/12/08 2:11 AM In reply to: How unsafe is it to use neighbor's wireless? by milliondollarbbw31it is extremely unsafe to use your neighbours wireless connection.
i have read in pc utilities uk issue 95 that you can acctually go to jail by using a neighbours wireless.
so do not use your neighbours wireless.
end of story
add one thing
by domenicofavotto - 3/12/08 2:13 AM In reply to: extremely unsafe by domenicofavottoyou can use your neighbours wireless if you have permission to use it.
if you do not have permission to use your neighbours wireless then do not use it.
end of story
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