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.
How safe is my computer from people on the same home network as me?
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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.
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.
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
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
Please tell me you're not serious... Bill, is that you Bill?
(by the way the kernel is a part of the operating system)
Australia must be where you got your sense of humour from:grin:
seious or not we'll have to agree to disagree...
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.
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.
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