Neighbour router access - EXPERT HELP PLEASE!

dawgoneit

Hi, please can any computer experts help me out regarding neighbour access to my router and my severe lack of knowledge on the subject. Here goes...

My neighbour (whom I dont know that well but didn't want to fall out with) asked me a favour. They have a new laptop for the first time, and were not getting internet access until a weeks time, could they use my wireless internet access until then. I tried to get out of it by saying I didnt know how to do it as ours was secure, but they said all they needed was a code from the base of the router - they had used their pals over the road by apparently typing in the code from the base of their router to access the pals internet connection. This apparently worked until they got too far away from the pals house and it cut off?

Anyway, seeing no way out of it as not wanting a big fall out about not trusting them with my internet access, they wrote down all the codes on the base of my router and went off. They have since said this didnt work.

My concerns are:
Could this have worked and they have access without me knowing?
I find it strange that it would - but they said it worked with the pal across the road.

I have Norton security set up on my laptop, and the router has WEP not WPA locking which I understand is more secure. No idea how to change/if possible to change to WPA as have been told that the Linkseys router is too old to accept it?

What is the difference between my router being secured and having Norton security on my actual laptop? Am I secure from intruders having these set up and taking into account I gave the neighbour all the codes from the router base?

I am very confused and concerned.
THANK YOU to any computer experts out there willing to help.

BillScarab

It would help if you posted the make and model of router.

Essentially you need to log into it and chnage the security settings.

You need to find out the ip address of it to do this.

Open up a command prompt on your PC and type in ipconfig /all that will produce a list of info. Find the ip address fo the deafult gateway, it will be something like 192.168.0.1 and type the IP address into the address bar in your browser. That will bring up the login screen. You should have been provided with the password for the admin account with the router so you enter the dtails and log in. You can then change the settings.

If you give us the make and model someone will be abel to provide more precise help.

babyblooz

I am not at all techie but would be worried about what they would be accessing on their laptop. If it was something dodgy then it would look as though I had been doing something dodgy - I wouldnt like it at all. Even in free WiFi areas in pubs you have to register your email address so maybe thats the reason, but then again, I am a numpty with all things techie so maybe theres another reason.

Still a bit of a cheek though I think!

KingL

babyblooz wrote: »

I am not at all techie but would be worried about what they would be accessing on their laptop. If it was something dodgy then it would look as though I had been doing something dodgy - I wouldnt like it at all.

Whatever the details of the configuration, if you've let them use your internet access, anything they do on it will look like it was you. The only way to prevent that is to not let them use it.

What is your point? Do you want to now lock them out of your network or are you happy to let them use the network but are concerned about them getting into your PC ?

Russel245

WEP isn't secure at all, an experienced hacked would have it down in about 2-3 minutes.

Somebody trying for the first time... maybe half hour with a half decent guide. So your neighbor can't be that bad at least


As for your router, writing the codes down only works for routers where the security features aren't available to edit, like say a Sky router. That said, most routers have standard access codes, which are google-able so you will want to change that assuming nobody has.

As for the security of your laptop, Norton will protect you from things on the internet but not necessarily everything on your network. Since you have prob set up as a home network your computer will assume everything on it is trusted.


I guess I just posted a lot of issues and not many (any?) solutions. For what it's worth, I would get a new router with WPA encryption. Modern routers tend to be fairly easy to set up basic security for so you'll be able to set your own password and stuff for it, which you'll be able to change every so often if you want.

Also, you may pay a little more, but I would probably go for a netgear router. I have had endless issues and complications trying to use cheap brands (like D-link) but my first netgear router just worked.

danthemoneysavingman

So, do you have security set up on your router? If no, they would be able to get access unless out of range.
If secure, did you give them the passkey? If so, same answer.
Changing your password is best way to ensure they don't have access, if you feel you've given them sufficient info to gain access. See post #2 above.
HTH!

dawgoneit

The router is a Linksys wireless G Model WRK54G.

I really have no clue - so can I go in and change security on the router so they stop getting access if they have it?

I am on Virgin, not Sky, so does that mean they cannot have accessed it? I want to lock them out and am NOT happy for them to have access. Am I looking at getting a new router and if so please advise best make and model (dont want to spend a fortune though). Why am I such a mug - I thought it was a cheek too - ok for them to say they would only be using it for a week, but they would have permanent access.)

danthemoneysavingman

type in browser 192.168.1.1 to bring up router admin.
defaults are no userID and password of admin, I believe.

you can change the security key through this interface.

prob want to change default password too!

macman

You agreed with them one week's access. So at the end of that week change your WEP code from within the router interface and then they can no longer access your wi-f free of charge.
Then get a decent modern router with WPA level security, WEP is not secure at all, as mentioned above.
Very foolish to grant someone you hardly know access to your wi-fi network, it's your IP address that will be on record if they are doing anything dodgy online.

Edit: if you want to lock then out now then change the WEP now as a temp measure until you get a better router. Sky/Virgin makes no difference.
If they have got hold of the router login username and password and changed them to deny you access, you will have to do a factory reset on the router and then reconfigure it for your ISP.

dawgoneit

I just checked the Netgear routers on PC World. They seem to range from £30 - £110 - can you suggest a model - some are broadband, some dual band - I dont even know what this means!

Oldbiggles

dawgoneit wrote: »

The router is a Linksys wireless G Model WRK54G.

I really have no clue - so can I go in and change security on the router so they stop getting access if they have it?

I am on Virgin, not Sky, so does that mean they cannot have accessed it? I want to lock them out and am NOT happy for them to have access. Am I looking at getting a new router and if so please advise best make and model (dont want to spend a fortune though). Why am I such a mug - I thought it was a cheek too - ok for them to say they would only be using it for a week, but they would have permanent access.)

If they have access to your computer, then they are probably reading your comments and concerns right now!