How safe is my computer from people on the same home network as me?

tommyg · 01-29-2007, 03:10 AM

I live in a house with 5 other people and don't know all of them that well. The one man who sets up the wireless network knows loads about computers and my question is would he be able to a) get my screen up on his computer from other parts of the house, b) see when i am typing in passwords or bank details and c) upload viruses from his computer onto mine. If any of these things are possible (which i do suspect they are) is there a way to protect my computer from this? I would be very grateful of any helpful replies. Thanks.

samual · 01-29-2007, 08:49 AM

what firewall r u running

tommyg · 01-29-2007, 08:58 AM

windows firewall i think. It was the one that came with the computer.

samual · 01-29-2007, 10:59 AM

download sygate personel firewall if anyone trys anything it will inform u , also download this program it will tell u if anyone is on ur network,netbrute scaner security suite its free and u can downloaded at pc world.

ArturoYee · 01-29-2007, 11:55 AM

Questions:
1. Are you on a wireless?
2. Am I assuming all of you are on ethernet (wired)?

**Glaswegian** · 01-29-2007, 12:46 PM

Hi

A good firewall is essential, so that's your start point. I would also suggest you try SnoopFree - it's a real time monitor that notifies you when a programme wants to record your keystrokes or read your screen. Those two will be a good start. I'll let you answer ArturoYee's questions and I'm sure he'll take it from there - networking's not something I know very much about.

tommyg · 01-29-2007, 04:40 PM

I am on a wireless connection and thankyou all very much for your help.

ArturoYee · 01-31-2007, 12:48 PM

Here are my thoughts -
1) You are always vulnerable when you are on a network where you do not control the router. So, if you are in a public library or internet cafe - you are at risk.
2) Are using a wireless without encryption? If you are, somebody may be able to capture your transmissions. This wil include users at airports, etc.

But it is not a simple matter - it takes "special" software to perform these nasty tasks - so just because your housemate is a computer whiz, it does not mean that he can do or want to do these things.

Here is some reading material:
Router Security:
Article

WiFi encryption:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access

MattBro · 01-31-2007, 07:10 PM

You're perfectly safe so-long as you're not running software which has security holes.

If you're running Windows, by default, there are no possible exploits in the kernel (Operating system).

stirling · 02-01-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBro

If you're running Windows, by default, there are no possible exploits in the kernel (Operating system).

Please tell me you're not serious... Bill, is that you Bill?

(by the way the kernel is a part of the operating system)

MattBro · 02-01-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Please tell me you're not serious... Bill, is that you Bill?

(by the way the kernel is a part of the operating system)

Close, I'm Bill's Australian love-child.

The kernel is the operating system. And I'm very serious.

stirling · 02-01-2007, 08:25 AM

Australia must be where you got your sense of humour from

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBro

The kernel is the operating system. And I'm very serious.

seious or not we'll have to agree to disagree...

**Kalim** · 02-02-2007, 03:52 AM

Well if you use a router firewall and/or a personal firewall you should be OK. Even more securer is to turn off the net when not in use.

The best free firewall reviewed has been Comodo firewall.

There are ways that all that is possible -- but only through the use of hacker and malicious software. A good firewall will show you that and just keep an eye on your port activity.

01-29-2007, 03:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
tommyg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	How safe is my computer from people on the same home network as me? I live in a house with 5 other people and don't know all of them that well. The one man who sets up the wireless network knows loads about computers and my question is would he be able to a) get my screen up on his computer from other parts of the house, b) see when i am typing in passwords or bank details and c) upload viruses from his computer onto mine. If any of these things are possible (which i do suspect they are) is there a way to protect my computer from this? I would be very grateful of any helpful replies. Thanks.

01-29-2007, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Glaswegian Moderator/ Rangemaster TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team; Oor Wullie; TSF Surgeon and Resident Comic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 21,378 OS: Win XP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 10	Hi A good firewall is essential, so that's your start point. I would also suggest you try SnoopFree - it's a real time monitor that notifies you when a programme wants to record your keystrokes or read your screen. Those two will be a good start. I'll let you answer ArturoYee's questions and I'm sure he'll take it from there - networking's not something I know very much about. __________________ Iain - Defender of the Haggis and all things Scottish. I don't help by PM - post in the Forums. Ad-Aware::SpywareBlaster::SpyBot::SpywareGuard::SnoopFree::AVG Free::HOSTS File::HijackThis::Donate::5 Steps For Infected PCs

01-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
samual Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: victoria,australia Posts: 93 OS: XP service p2	what firewall r u running

01-29-2007, 08:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
tommyg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	windows firewall i think. It was the one that came with the computer.

01-29-2007, 10:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
samual Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: victoria,australia Posts: 93 OS: XP service p2	download sygate personel firewall if anyone trys anything it will inform u , also download this program it will tell u if anyone is on ur network,netbrute scaner security suite its free and u can downloaded at pc world.

01-29-2007, 11:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
ArturoYee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123 OS: XP Home, OS X 10.5 MacBook	Questions: 1. Are you on a wireless? 2. Am I assuming all of you are on ethernet (wired)?

01-29-2007, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
tommyg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	I am on a wireless connection and thankyou all very much for your help.

01-31-2007, 12:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
ArturoYee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 123 OS: XP Home, OS X 10.5 MacBook	Here are my thoughts - 1) You are always vulnerable when you are on a network where you do not control the router. So, if you are in a public library or internet cafe - you are at risk. 2) Are using a wireless without encryption? If you are, somebody may be able to capture your transmissions. This wil include users at airports, etc. But it is not a simple matter - it takes "special" software to perform these nasty tasks - so just because your housemate is a computer whiz, it does not mean that he can do or want to do these things. Here is some reading material: Router Security: Article WiFi encryption: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access

01-31-2007, 07:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
MattBro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 202 OS: WinXP-Home	You're perfectly safe so-long as you're not running software which has security holes. If you're running Windows, by default, there are no possible exploits in the kernel (Operating system).

02-02-2007, 03:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Well if you use a router firewall and/or a personal firewall you should be OK. Even more securer is to turn off the net when not in use. The best free firewall reviewed has been Comodo firewall. There are ways that all that is possible -- but only through the use of hacker and malicious software. A good firewall will show you that and just keep an eye on your port activity.