Security Question

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I went online this morning and did'nt realise until I was turning everything off that I had'nt turned my router on.
Can you tell me if this is a problem with regards to security,as I was logged into my bank.
I have no idea what the router's for anyway so don't know if I should worry.

MX5huggy

The router provides your connection to the internet. You cant get online without turning it on!

So I presume you are using wireless and have connected to a neighbours wireless connection. Not ideal but not a problem for a one off.

But then if it was so easy to do this ie you did not notice, maybe you have been using the neighbours wireless forever!

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Thanks for the help,well knowing me and my technical skills I probably have.
I'm just going to have to try harder next time.
So does it mean that because I'd be using someone's router they would know I was or have access to what I was doing online.
Sorry if this seems a stupid question but I realy don't know.

MX5huggy

They probably have no idea that you are using their connection, because they would probably want to stop you! (which is quite easy for them to do).

If they did know you are using there connection then it is another step up for them then to be monitoring what sites you are visiting, and another step up again to be monitoring what you are typing.

aliEnRIK

Logging into someone ELSES router and using your bank is extremely dangerous

Make SURE its YOUR router in future and that its security settings etc are on

penrhyn

It does beg the question as to whether OP has ever been logged in to their own router.
As Rik says working over an unsecured wireless network is extremely dangerous, if your bank security was compromised as a result they would take a dim view of it.
You could be responsible for any losses that you incurred.

If you don't know what your router does, find out or get someone who does and sort out the security, or better still don't use wireless and connect via ethernet.

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh.

stuvee02

I would suggest that it's something to not worry excessivly over now but be very careful in future.

IMHO if someone is technically unaware so as to leave their wireless unsecured then they are unlikely to be technically aware enough to notice someone piggy backing on it.

As MX5huggy says it's a whole other ball game to be able to see what sites a piggybacker visits and even harder to log their keystrokes. On top of that the bank will have multiple security layers on their website (hopefully heavily encrypted) and so it's very unlikely unless you live next to a proficient cybercriminal, who happened to notice or was waiting for someone to accidentally using their web connection, that any harm will come from it.

Having said that you must be careful and configure your computer to access ONLY your router. Penrhyn rightly says if somehow there was a breach and someone took all your money it is your loss - it's effectively the same as giving someone your atm card and your pin number.

If you secure your connection, keep your AV, Firewall and regularly check for malware and never open a suspicious email then you should be fine :rolleyes2

Good luck

Stu