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I think someone is piggybacking my internet connection - what can I do about it?

32 replies

anorak · 20/06/2008 19:23

I've had two messages come up "new device detected, name ***, Now online in your home network"

Is one of my neighbours piggybacking and if so what can I do about it please?

It's def not coming from my house, there is no one here but me.

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EffiePerine · 20/06/2008 19:24

password protect it

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SpacePuppy · 20/06/2008 19:24

password

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anorak · 20/06/2008 19:25

I'm not really sure how to do that. My laptop is password-protected for log-on but our main computer isn't. However I only have the laptop switched on at the moment.

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anorak · 20/06/2008 19:27

What I mean is I have to put in a password to start up my laptop for any use not just internet. After that I can click straight through to the internet.

Main family computer - no password but it's switched off atm. How do you add a password?

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EffiePerine · 20/06/2008 19:28

I THINK you have to put security settings on your wireless connection. DH does this stuff so not sure how! Maybe try googling it?

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EffiePerine · 20/06/2008 19:29

if you use BT, there's some stuff here:

bt.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/bt.cfg/php/enduser/cci/bt_adp.php?p_faqid=10490&cat_lvl1=346&cat_lvl2=401&p_ cv=2.401&p_cats=346,401

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LazyLinePainterJane · 20/06/2008 19:31

you using windows?

right click on your little wireless icon in bottom right and select "view wireless networks". then you want advanced settings a couple of times and you should be able to set a password.

Apols for awful typing, one handed.

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anorak · 20/06/2008 19:33

I've just googled but it's like a foreign language to me

This is a worry.

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LazyLinePainterJane · 20/06/2008 19:39

do you need more help anorak?

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WeeBesom · 20/06/2008 19:41

That would really annoy me, I bloody pay for it! Get some good security. It will really slow down your connection/downloads.

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anorak · 20/06/2008 19:44

Right, I have just done what Jane suggested, and it appears I have a firewall setting that stops anyone else connecting. I am beginning to smell a rat.

I had trouble connecting this morning (it happens a fair bit, I live in Bermuda and sometimes stuff like the weather affects my ISP) and while trying to connect I clicked on a thing called windows network magic that I'd never noticed before. It offered me a free trial; I declined.

These piggybacker alerts came in the form of a network magic pop-up - could they be bogus alerts designed to make me accept that free trial?

I have never had any notifications of piggybacking before and now suddenly two within 10 minutes

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nannynick · 20/06/2008 19:44

You need to set a password on your router. Do you know which router you have?

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LazyLinePainterJane · 20/06/2008 19:47

Do you have spybot anorak? It will scan your computer for spyware and other such things that have made their way onto your computer. It's free and I have used it for years. You need to check for updates about once a week to keep in relevant but it's easy. here it is

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nannynick · 20/06/2008 19:47

Probably worth doing:
Virus Scan
Spybot Scan

Then asking anyone who has used the computer recently, if they have installed anything.

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EachPeachPearMum · 20/06/2008 19:56

Sound advice, NannyNick.
You should ensure your wireless network is secure too.

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anorak · 20/06/2008 20:05

Thank you all. Yes I have spybot and AVG. Haven't the first clue how to set a password on my router, nor do I have any idea where the paperwork with numbers on is. DH got the internet installed weeks before I arrived in the country and filed the paperwork away.

Do you think my network magic theory could be possible?

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EachPeachPearMum · 21/06/2008 16:35

(Mr. EPPM here, EPPM off on a nappy change)

Often routers have a console that's accessible via your brower, and often it resides at:

192.168.0.1

Try visiting that address in your browser. It should ask for a password if the router's been configured with one. Otherwise, it may show you a console that will allow you to specify one.

Or it may not, it really depends

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popsycal · 21/06/2008 16:41

anorak you can anls get a tracker thing to monitor how much you download...dh has one on ours as he rather paranoidly imo thought the same was happening with us......I dont think it is though - I just think he downlaods too much!!!

will find you a link

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frasersmummy · 21/06/2008 16:42

is your home network secured

to check..double click on your wireless icon (down beside your clock) then click view wireless networks this will show all the networks in your area and will tell you if its secured or open

if its secured then no-one can access it and its something bogus on your pc.

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popsycal · 21/06/2008 16:43

link{http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband-download-monitor.html\broadband download monitor}
its free

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DirtySexyMummy · 21/06/2008 16:43

Can I just ask - why do you care?

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popsycal · 21/06/2008 16:43

try again

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anorak · 21/06/2008 19:40

DSM I have two concerns, privacy and security.

I asked DH about it last night and I am going to leave the ball in his court as he is super-security conscious. Thanks for all your suggestions.

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frasersmummy · 21/06/2008 21:45

ok ..

just so you know I answer these kind questions for a living

so let me know if you need more help

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OverMyDeadBody · 21/06/2008 21:47

But is it costing you more as a result?

If not, does it really matter? It doesn't hurt you does it?

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