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is my wireless connection safe?

redballoon_2
redballoon_2 Posts: 1,555 Forumite
1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Techie Stuff
How do I know that no one else is using my wireless connection to connect to the internet?
Also, how can I check that I am protected against this?

Thanks
Make £10 a day challenge March 2013 £101.24 / £240 :j
WSC 10 March - £0 / £5
Debt £17,294 - 7th March
«1

Comments

  • albertross_2
    albertross_2 Posts: 8,932 Forumite
    did you encrypt it?

    should say security enabled wireless network (preferably wpa), and have a closed padlock

    wireless_chooseConnection.gif
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • redballoon_2
    redballoon_2 Posts: 1,555 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I dont think so. I dont know how! Im with BT and have a home hub. I;ll check it against that picture now...


    i went to start, then network (vista) and i have found my homehub as well as someone elses and thier printer i think!!

    bt emailed me to say that my usage was 16gb and i only have 5gb per month. i have never gone over. only use it for mse really!
    Make £10 a day challenge March 2013 £101.24 / £240 :j
    WSC 10 March - £0 / £5
    Debt £17,294 - 7th March
  • Andybez38
    Andybez38 Posts: 1,773 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    search available wireless networks if yours is on there and comes up as an unsecured network, then your not safe.
    I came into this world with nothing and I'm gonna leave with nothing.
  • redballoon_2
    redballoon_2 Posts: 1,555 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    it says security WEP. is this ok? I have got screen shots but dont know how to post them
    Make £10 a day challenge March 2013 £101.24 / £240 :j
    WSC 10 March - £0 / £5
    Debt £17,294 - 7th March
  • Andybez38
    Andybez38 Posts: 1,773 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    you should be ok.
    I came into this world with nothing and I'm gonna leave with nothing.
  • redballoon_2
    redballoon_2 Posts: 1,555 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    it says it is a private network as well. making my pc undiscoverable but i can see others.

    on the home hub properties it says security type: no authentication open (and a drop down menu to change to shared,wpa2 personal, wpa personal, wpa enterprise, wpa2 enterprise, 802.1x) then encryption type which is at WEp and can be changed to none
    Make £10 a day challenge March 2013 £101.24 / £240 :j
    WSC 10 March - £0 / £5
    Debt £17,294 - 7th March
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    redballoon wrote: »
    it says security WEP. is this ok? I have got screen shots but dont know how to post them

    WEP is the lowest level of security. Change it to WPA or WPA2 with the longest random key for maximum security.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • Blacksheep1979
    Blacksheep1979 Posts: 4,224 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    simple answer is no, you are not safe. No matter what you do if there is a wireless connection if someone wants in they can get in. What you want to do is lower the odds and or make them choose another target which encrypting your system will do.
  • keggies
    keggies Posts: 62 Forumite
    Hi,

    I too have the BT home Hub, I think by default you are pretty secure.

    Go online to look at your hub details which will tell you what security it is providing

    More help and advice on the BT Hub can be found here:

    http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/homehub.html

    Hope this helps a little
    Do I Need It ? .......... Do I Want It? .......... What Will Happen If I Don't Buy It? .......... I'm So Confused I Need Help!
  • JustPassingBy
    JustPassingBy Posts: 710 Forumite
    Blacksheep1979 wrote: »
    simple answer is no, you are not safe. No matter what you do if there is a wireless connection if someone wants in they can get in. What you want to do is lower the odds and or make them choose another target which encrypting your system will do.

    I'm not expecting anyone to get past my 63 random character WPA-PSK/TKIP key within the next 10,000,000 years.
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