Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Can any computer genius please tell me something about these wireless networks?!...
I have a router sending out the signal to 2 computers in my house. My computer is directly wired - doesn't use the router signal being "sent through the air" to get internet.
The question is, is someone else on one of the computers in my house able to see what I am doing on my computer? This question has been bothering me for some time now, just wondering what the reality of it is. I pay bills and such online and really do not want someone else in here getting access to bank account numbers.

7 comments:

becomingkate said...

I don't think they can, as long as you have good security programs. I don't (couldn't afford it when it expired) so I only do my online banking at work. (Insurance offices have MAJOR secure networks)

Dorrie said...

yes they can, unless you have your signals blocked, which you SHOULD do! Otherwise anyone can use your signal and surf on YOUR signal. You then have to give those who may use your signal a password or something.

Wheelie once discovered that a neighbor's signal was open... he put a funny photo on that guys desktop! LOL the next day, the signal was blocked.

Send Wheelie a pm via my forum for detailed info.... he's the real expert.

Kate: there are lots of FREE security programs out there, or relatively cheap ones... you should check into it.

Pastor Larry said...

You can also unplug your router when you are on line or doing stuff you want secret.

Fin said...

This is worm day and I am almost afraid to turn on my own puter (this is an old one I sometimes use as a backup). I recently got an 'infection' in my new one which had happened one before and I solved it by resetting the computer to an earlier time, but this time it is not letting me do that. I usually do SOME banking online but today I am reluctant to do that either. Sorta paranoid.

BenB said...

The network itself is protected with password - no-one around the neighborhood can get into it unless they have that.
I was referring to tenants living in my house - can they see my info as I input it: re bank accounts/credit cards/etc.
Prolly unplugging the router would make some people rather upset.....lol.
Worm day didn't seem to avail much - though they keep saying "yet".
I'm just curious if I'm sitting here on my puter', inputting passwords and account numbers, if, somehow, people within the network can see it. My puter' does not have wireless or wireless adapter - but it's plugged in obviously to the same source as everyone else.

Dorrie said...

if each person has a password and a section of their own, then your section should be protected via your password and they can't get in it... that's the whole point of that. As admin you should be able to go everywhere, but not the others.... you decide which sections they can visit and which not. But like I said, send Wheelie a message... HE'S the real computer guru.

P.S. I've been doing online banking since 1992, that's right, that long ago, and I have NEVER had any problems.

BenB said...

Dorrie - this wireless router stuff is a whole new world to me, something I never even thought about until I started having tenants with their own computers. I've been doing banking online for quite a while too - though not as long as you lol - and never have had a problem with it, either. I'll write Wheelie.
Thanks!
ben

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