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

[anorak]

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.

[TinkerbellesMum]

You are right, you'd have no proof it wasn't you.

I'm pretty sure you can transfer files quite easily if you don't have a secured router.

[RTKangaMummy]

A problem with someone piggybacking you is that if they download ILLEGAL stuff then you are responsibel cos it is your ISP iirc

So if you are piggybacked by peadafile then they download stuff it is tracked onto your ISP

I think that is correct

[popsycal]

you could do a system restore to before the date of the network magic thing and if it installd any software on your pc, that may take it off.....

[anorak]

Yes I would not begrudge someone else getting on the internet on my connection if that were all there were to it.

Thanks for all your messages. frasersmummy when I did as you suggested I had a message saying windows could not configure the wireless connection.

I haven't had any more of these pop-ups and really thing they were bogus ones from network magic to encourage me to take their free trial.

[TinkerbellesMum]

It depends if there is a download limit, it will slow down your own connection making browsing and downloading difficult. It is possible to access another computer using the same router. It is covered under the law in the UK as theft.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

My neighbours and I all live close together in terraced houses.
When I go onto the internet I have to pick from any or all of Tiscali, BT Internet or Sky internet depending which one, two or all of us is online. If someone else switches theirs on while I'm online I get a message to say that another user has been detected.
None of us is accessing the others or piggybacking, as its all security thingy wotisted with the number off your router when you first set up, its just that the wireless devices do pick up anyone else's wireless within quite a wide distance.
So it might just be someone close by also on the internet but using their own service provider.

[OverMyDeadBody]

just because someone's accesing your wireless doesn't mean they can actually access your computer with your info on it though does it?

[OverMyDeadBody]

But is it costing you more as a result?

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

[frasersmummy]

ok ..

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

so let me know if you need more help

[anorak]

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.

[popsycal]

try again

[DirtySexyMummy]

Can I just ask - why do you care?

[popsycal]

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

[frasersmummy]

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.

[popsycal]

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

[EachPeachPearMum]

(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

[anorak]

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?

[EachPeachPearMum]

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

[nannynick]

Probably worth doing:
Virus Scan
Spybot Scan

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

[LazyLinePainterJane]

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

[nannynick]

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

[anorak]

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

[WeeBesom]

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

[LazyLinePainterJane]

do you need more help anorak?

[anorak]

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

This is a worry.