Am I getting hacked?

thehappybutterfly

I've just run an HP Network Check on my laptop. I've got Windows 7. I'm not very savvy so don't know what I'm looking at but under Detected Wireless Networks there are three SSIDs with signal strengths:

SKYxxxxx 96%
TALKTALK 14%
robynsara18 4%

SKY I can understand, Talktalk - I'm not with them nor have ever been with them. But what the heck is this robynsara18? Is this someone hacking into my wireless network?

I'm confused! And worried......

PasturesNew

When you look there you are asking your PC "What wireless networks can you see? I want to connect to one, so am looking to see if any you can reach are the one/s I can use or want"

And it's finding yours ... and networks belonging to two of your neighbours.

You're looking at THEM, they aren't looking at you. Although their PCs would be able to see yours if they checked their wireless networks in range. So long as your network requires a Network ID to log on, they won't be on yours.

It's a bit like standing at your gate and looking along the road and asking "How many front doors can I see - and is any one of them mine?" ... you'd be able to see your door and everybody elses, but you'll only have a key to your front door in your hand.

WestonDave

Most likely your computer is in range of your neighbours wireless routers - I can see 3 others on mine, but I can't log into them as they are all protected. The range of these routers can be quite far - when we were out of our house due to electrical work, I was able to log on to my router from my friends house (where I was house sitting) a few houses down and on the other side of the street.

-TangleFoot-

An SSID can be completely arbitrary; see here for examples.

thehappybutterfly

That's very helpful guys - thanks! So, nothing to worry about then?

I wonder who Robynsara is?.......

-TangleFoot-

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I wonder who Robynsara is?.......

Your second-closest neighbour I would imagine.

bod1467

Neighbours called Rob and Sara?

thehappybutterfly

Tee hee! None of my neighbours are called Rob or Sara - well obviously not any of the ones I speak to

Thanks for your help guys. I think I might have to persuade our IT folks at work to hold a few PC help classes - I'll be first in line!

One of the first clean up tasks I learned was how to defrag and I became obsessed - I defragged every other day. I was fair fragged out!

-TangleFoot-

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I was fair fragged out!

Then you'll be overjoyed to hear that you don't need to do that anymore.