sorry if this has been asked before

devils_vixen

How can I tell if my computer or network is visible to other users?

I have noticed my anti virus has blocked 3 attempted attacks by other IP addresses

I use a BT home hub (the black one) and I thought this was already secure?
When I go to connect, it says security enabled network?

I am so confused now!

Also do I tick any of these boxes?

Allow other network users to connect through this internet connection

and

Allow other network users to control or disable this internet connection

I am only user on network

exup

there is a difference in having a secure network and an attack on your PC.

If you have a wireless network which is not secure - then anyone nearby can login to your network just like you login yourself, and use it do download files / surf the internet etc.. even snoop on the traffic coming in and out of your network.

As for your PC/laptop connecting to the internet - you may be browsing a website which contains some sort of malicious code embedded into it - this then tries to attack your PC with a virus / trojan etc - as you are already connected virtually to this website it has - in theory a route back to you - hopefully your router and security software (firewall / antivirus) will stop it.

On the other hand - if your firewall hasnt been configured - some harmless applications - for example if you were playing an online game - your firewall may see the game server as a threat to your system and block it - usually with a message asking you whether it is ok to allow access to the program in question.

macman

Borrow a wireless laptop and see if it can 'see' your own network name among the wireless networks visible when you try to connect it. The default wireless encryption on many of the HH's is WEP, this is no longer sufficient and you should switch it to WPA. The hub will support WPA, but so must the wireless adapter on your PC/laptop.
It's also possible to set the hub so that it does not broadcast the network name, but getting the security up to WPA is the first thing to do.
If you are concerned about wireless security, can you connect your hub to the router by ethernet cable and switch off the wireless mode? Wireless has no point unless you need mobility, or if your phone point is a long way from your PC/laptop.

devils_vixen

macman wrote: »

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It's also possible to set the hub so that it does not broadcast the network name, but getting the security up to WPA is the first thing to do.

How do I do this? My HH is already set on WPA.

macman

Log into the router interface, wireless settings, and look for something like 'disable SSID broadcast''