Can other people access my wireless network ?

Question

i just setup my netgear wireless router and made my network, I believe I went on this webswite and created the name of my network and the passprase to get on....I entered the password once first time...after that it said"security enabled" but eveyr time i connect now it doesnt ask for my password...just wondering if people who are not me can just click on it and access it without the password?

Answer 1

If you set it up with WPA with a GOOD passphrase you're fine.  Anyone who tells you it's hard to hack WEP hasn't seen the video published by the FBI showing you exactly how it's done.  All the scripts and software is free.  If you don't use a good passphrase, mine is over 25 characters long, they can hit you with a brute force dictionary attack.  Scripts that will initiate a brute force dictionary attack can be downloaded from the internet.  The range on WiFi depends on your antenna.  For $100, you can get a shotgun antenna that will give you a few miles range.  Would you notice someone sitting in their car two miles away?  

So, use at least WPA, and use at least a 15 character passphrase.  I like lines from books that I find easy to remember.  Just don't make it something everyone knows like, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?  It is the East, and Juliet, she is the sun."

Answer 2

It is always possible to hack into someones network and use it without permission. However, such a thing requires VERY high knowledge of hacking, plus tonnes of equipment and hours of time. It would be pretty suspicious to see a man stood outside your house with a laptop for hours wouldn't it?! If you have decent security, which you seem to have, I wouldn't worry. Also, most routers have their own security built in, so again, don't worry

Answer 3

If they try to connect they will be asked for the wep key (your password)

Answer 4

To answer your question, probably not. If someone has enough hacking knowledge to tap into your wireless network (which I assume is protected with what's called a WEP key), then they probably have their own network they use their own internet on. It takes a LOT of skill to hack into a wireless PROTECTED network, believe me, I've tried.

Anyone who doesn't have the password will not be able to access your wireless network (be sure to save that password too, in case your computer loses the password or someone else is over and wants to use yours)

And about your question of it not asking you for a password: Both Windows and Macs save that password for you so that you don't have to enter it every time (it's a LONG password). It's easier for both you and the computer anyways.  

Answer 5

yes many ppl can access it without a password. If ur system keeps giving ur password problems try calling the provider and askin for them to help you get the password correctly enabled if you dont want others accessing it.  

Answer 6

You might want to turn on MAC address filtering also.  The more difficult you make for a hacker, the safer the connection.  (If it takes enough effort, some people will give up.)

Answer 7

If you have encrypted the signal then only you can see it.  

You should only need to enter the pass phrase once.  You would only need to enter it again if you change computers or a friend wants to use your connection/network.  

Answer 8

You should be safe - if you set up a WEP/WPA passkey it's encrypted.

When you connect to a new network (one you haven't used before) your computer asks you for the passkey (or warns that it's unsecure) and then stores the settings (network name, passkey, etc).  Next time you come in range (if it's set to "automatically connect") or tell the computer to connect, it tries to connect using the same information you entered before - and unless the key has changed it connects.

This feature is called the "preferred networks list" in Windows.

Nothing is impossible to hack given enough time...but it sounds like you did all the right things to keep your network as secure as possible - and that's all you can do.  If you're really paranoid, change the key every so often but I wouldn't worry about it (especially if there is someone else's unsecure network nearby).

Answer 9

don't lose sleep

you should be ok

it is true that the simplest wireless security ( wep 64) has been broken

you can set it to wpa

however if your neighbor / friends have the skills and ability to break into your wep network then that is probably the least of your problems

if you install  a program called network magic it will build you a network map and alert you if anyone has broken in

the free version is fine

http://networkmagic.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaDUw8WZx...

don't lose sleep.  don't go out of the house

Answer 10

My house is close enough to my neighbors houses that when I log on my computer asks me which network do I want to log on to, and shows me which one has the strongest signal (depending upon which room I am in). I wonder when I go to a hotel that has wireless, how easily can someone log onto my computer - if they can.

Answer 11

It saved your password and automatically uses it each time you connect to the wireless network. Others would have to enter the correct key to access it.

If you are using WEP encryption, it is moderately hard to hack. WPA/WPA2 is better.

If you turn off the SSID broadcast, it will keep the casual passersby from detecting the wireless network. Using free tools, they would still be able to find it, but the traffic would be encrypted.

http://beecherbowers.com