Neighbour router access - EXPERT HELP PLEASE!

danthemoneysavingman

very amusing reading.

I think you're panicking unnecessarily. They said they couldn't access it. Why don't you believe them?
Did you try my suggestion to access the router settings?
I don't think a new router is the answer, just unnecessary.
If the upload/download lights are flashing a lot on the modem when YOU aren't using it, it is probable someone else is using your connection. If not, they aren't.
You can turn off the modem when you're not using it if you're truly paranoid about this!

Let me know what you think.

(2 posts slotted in before i finished!)

treetrunks

i think your being a little paranoid. The average user would have no interest and no knowledge of hacking. What exactly have you got thats so precious anyway.

The other issue of them looking as though they are you when browsing the net is not really an issue either. Very very unlikely but worst case scenario would be that you were suspected of looking at something illegal. A quick check of the router would show more than one pc linked, they could look at your pc and see that nothing illegal had been viewed. Your explanation of neighbours having access to your router would stack up.

Oldbiggles

I use Plusnet as my ISP. If their site is anything to go by then changing the password etc. is anything but easy.
I have tried, and been directed to page after page. They insist that if you wish to change the password, you also need to change the Router password and E'mail password, all on different screens. It's so complicated that I was forced to give up.

danthemoneysavingman

Oldbiggles wrote: »

I use Plusnet as my ISP. If their site is anything to go by then changing the password etc. is anything but easy.
I have tried, and been directed to page after page. They insist that if you wish to change the password, you also need to change the Router password and E'mail password, all on different screens. It's so complicated that I was forced to give up.

Your ISP is irrelevant. Really. I think ppl are trying to confuse you! More than you are already!!

espresso

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.)

Don't panic!

Sadly there is already a lot of bad advice given in this thread. You do not need to buy a new router, you simply need to learn how to secure the one that you already have!

Log into the router while connected via Ethernet cable and change the wireless encryption to WPA-TKIP which is fully explained in the user manual available here.

If you use a long random key from e.g. from here it will certainly defeat your cheeky neighbours. Copy & paste the key to a notepad file so that you can paste it in when required.

dawgoneit

marshyrob wrote: »

Mate you dont need a new router, all modern day routers do secure wireless. WPA is what you are looking for, so as others have mentined, log into the router using Internet Explorer or whatever internet browser you use with the address that relates to your Default Gateway (BillScarab told you how to obtain the IP information, Default Gateway is there)

Once you put that in you will be promted for a username and password, if you havent changed this then its blank username and admin password as mentioned by danthemoneysavingman. Once logged in you need to follow this:

All the best!

There should be a reset button on the router. Unplug the router, hold the reset button then plug it back in and keep holding for about 30 seconds. This will reset the router to factory defaults

Rob

Thanks for that. The instruction page you gave wont come up, so I am stuck on how to change from WEP to WPA. The choices are WEP, WPA Pre-shared, and WPA RADIUS. Are either of the WPA choices suitable for me?

espresso

dawgoneit wrote: »

Thanks for that. The instruction page you gave wont come up, so I am stuck on how to change from WEP to WPA. The choices are WEP, WPA Pre-shared, and WPA RADIUS. Are either of the WPA choices suitable for me?

Read the manual, You need to use WPA Pre-shared with a long random key.

Freddie_Snowbits

OP, foiregt the advise above. If neighbour has accessed your router, they will have already had access to all your private data and internet accounts.

If I was you, I would go to the fuse cupboards and switch off the elctricity, as this is the only real way to stop them accessing your data any more.

macman

So you have managed to do a factory restore and logged in using the defaults?
WPA-PSK (pre shared key) should be fine.
Then just configure your internet connection with your ISP u/n and p/w.

JasX

If its WEP only security just about anyone can access OPs router with readily available internet software to brute force the pass key.

If you're paranoid someone is on your router log into it and you ccan see who is connected and/or interrogate the logs to see if anyone else is or was connected.

If you do let your neighbour connect you can always grab a copy of wireshark (freeware) and packet sniff them to see what they're up to. Just about all internet traffic is completly unencrypted except internet banking sessions and gmail. Most other sites/email providers encrypt paasswords and login info only.

...oh yes, if he gets onto your network he can do the same to you

and take over your PC if your windows security patches aren't up to date :cool: