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Thread: Another computer question ?

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    Default Another computer question ?

    Probably tired of all the questions about computers . I have a wireless internet provider sometimes the connection goes down ( not very often ) . So I sometimes click on "view available wireless networks " and I get a list of four or five other providers . Some are secure and a few not secure , what would happen if I tried to connect to these other networks ? I have not done that yet for fear of meltdown . And will they know I am on there line ?

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    Banned Madcap's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    It just means that other ppl around you have wireless networks and they are close enough to access. You can access them, but you'll be hogging their bandwidth.

    Frankly, i'd do it. They prolly access yours when they drop.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    I sure hope they don't know, because I connect on my neighbors wireless whenever mine goes down. Nothing bad happens. I think the only thing they might notice is a little slowing on thier connection. They'd have to be very computer savvy to know more than that, and what are the odds?

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    They can know, if they know their way around networking. But then most people who have wireless connections worth connecting to have at least 5mb speeds, now it's 10mb (though why anyone but a gamer needs that is beyond me), and the bandwidth you'll be hogging won't even lag them.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Thanks all thats good to know . So they can't access my computer or anything of that nature ? I have all the firewall protection and such installed . Well I won't try it unless mine goes down the tubes .

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Hate to tell you this, bud, but if you have wireless they can access your net. Same as you can access theres. I put this to use in a pinch sometimes with my laptop. Drive down the street waiting for the Area Connection Unavailable baloon to vanish, then when it does i park and do what i gotta do.

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    Senior Member Tabytha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Can they really access it if you have a secure network as in needing a password to access it?

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    Banned Madcap's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tabytha
    Can they really access it if you have a secure network as in needing a password to access it?
    If you're using wireless, yes. You can lock it down to where not just anyone can access it, but i never ran into a wireless network i couldn't access. It's more complicated than that, of course, but wireless nets are be definition insecure. That's why businesses use wired 99% of the time.

    If your concerned about it, lock your box down and forget worrying about your internet connection. It's not your PC they are accessing, it's your router. Again, more complicated, but nutshell version.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Another thing, and i shouldn't have to say this but i will anyway just in case, i wouldn't worry so much about it. Any Hacker worth his pocket-protector wouldn't bother with you anyway. They have bigger fish to fry. Hackers do it for the thrill, to see if they can. No home user will interest a real hacker, period. It's the script kiddies you have to worry about, and they have all the computer skills of a trained chimpanzee (See? I can move my mousepointer over an icon and double-click, look at my l337 hax0r sk1llz). Those types are the only thing home users need to worry about. Even a cracker worth his salt wouldn't bother unless you piss him/her off (though most crackers are pissed off guys sitting in their rooms).

    That said, keep any credit card info OFF your computer. NEVER put your credit card number, social security number, or any other legally identifying or financial information on any computer that is connected to the internet. And if you buy something online, make sure it's from a trusted source. Do your homework. One way to see this is by looking at the website's address. If it says "Http://" don't mess with it. If it says "https://" it's usually cool to do transactions. But that's only one way (And i still don't trust it). The best way is doing your homework and protecting yourself with your brain.

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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Actually - some people have been arrested for pinching bandwidth off their neighbors. Somekind of "theft of service" bullshit or something like that. I am to tired to google up the news stories but I remember reading them.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deogol
    Actually - some people have been arrested for pinching bandwidth off their neighbors. Somekind of "theft of service" bullshit or something like that. I am to tired to google up the news stories but I remember reading them.
    Have any idea how hard that is to find out?

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    I'm all for piggy-backing off someone else's connection if they're not smart enough to turn on the encryption. However, they can make you susceptible to their viruses if they have any. And anyone who doesn't know how to turn on the security, is likely to be open to viruses
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Madcap
    That said, keep any credit card info OFF your computer. NEVER put your credit card number, social security number, or any other legally identifying or financial information on any computer that is connected to the internet. And if you buy something online, make sure it's from a trusted source. Do your homework. One way to see this is by looking at the website's address. If it says "Http://" don't mess with it. If it says "https://" it's usually cool to do transactions. But that's only one way (And i still don't trust it). The best way is doing your homework and protecting yourself with your brain.

    Look the golden rule here, is, if you don't know why you're 100% safe. You're not.

    If you don't feel 100% safe, don't do it.

    My many many suggestions for personal security on the internet have very little to do with the computer itself.

    For example, I can whip up a credit card processor site quickly that has https:// but is only 40-bit and has crackers all over the place. Still https:// but horribly insecure, unlike 256 bit with AES. Face it, if you are boggling your eyes when I say https:// and AES and MD5 Fingerprinting and Valid ssl key issuers... than going with https:// is just a little less risky.

    What you need to do, is open a bank account for your internet spending, (I suggest paypal) and limit your internet spending to just that card. Or even a pre-paid credit card. Expect losses, and minimize them. Paypal sucks for fees but is the FASTEST charge displayer yet. You can run an auth and see it in your details SECONDS later.

    If your buying off the internet out of the same account your saving for retirement in STOP. If you're buying off the internet using cards with the same pin codes, high daily spending limits, slow process-to-display speed, STOP.

    Protection on the computer starts before you even turn it on.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Deogol
    Actually - some people have been arrested for pinching bandwidth off their neighbors. Somekind of "theft of service" bullshit or something like that. I am to tired to google up the news stories but I remember reading them.
    I made a mint driving around town with my wardriving setup finding unsecured wireless, going to the managers with the proposed local law involving internet supply requirements and offering to secure them with a cheap fee.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    LOL...you got money for setting the NETWORK KEY? My hero!
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Dude, you have no idea. Remember, initial wireless networks sold kits that bragged about being setup in 15 minutes. And in this podunk town, You can go anywhere and get a

    NETGEAR
    LINKSYS
    WLAN

    Wireless connection ANYWHERE.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Well you nerds have lost me lol . How do I make sure I am secure ? And how can I check and see if anyone is useing my connection ?


    Quote Originally Posted by Mastridonicus
    I made a mint driving around town with my wardriving setup finding unsecured wireless, going to the managers with the proposed local law involving internet supply requirements and offering to secure them with a cheap fee.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    Quote Originally Posted by CuriousJ
    Probably tired of all the questions about computers . I have a wireless internet provider sometimes the connection goes down ( not very often ) .

    Well you nerds have lost me lol . How do I make sure I am secure ? And how can I check and see if anyone is useing my connection ?
    Didn't know wireless internet providers existed. are you in apartment complex or very urban area?

    usually people have a home router with wireless antennae. you can see if someone else is using your connection by noticing if the internet light is blinking when you are not using internet or your computer is off. or you can access your home router at something similiar to http://192.168.10.1 (depending on home router i believe). in there somewhere is a list of mac addresses or computer names that have recently accessed your router.

    to make secure on wireless system you add a password on both sides. look at the instructions or just look around menus. most people add passwords.

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    Default Re: Another computer question ?

    I'm in a fairly urban area I guess 30k to 50k people . The company I am with has several routers in the area - sometimes when one goes down I just get on the roof and point the antenna towards another known point . I also have a small signal booster on my system which helped out quite a bit .

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