Can someone tell me the step by step process to stop piggy backing on my internet connection?

Question

What do I do to my computer(s) and/or router?

Answer 1

Because routers differ as to details, I can't be specific about how to accomplish these steps, but they're almost all done from within the router's administration web pages. Note: It’s best to do them from a computer cabled (even just temporarily) to the router rather than wirelessly, especially since wireless administration will be deactivated by step #1.

1. Deactivate wireless access to your router's administration web pages so only a computer connected via an Ethernet cable can reach them.  This won’t affect wireless use of the Internet, just wireless administration. Even if you don’t want to leave a computer connected via a cable, leave the cable there for when you need it.  Here are some horror stories of people who didn't:

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2. Turn off the SSID (network name) broadcast from the router.  There's no need to advertise your network's presence.  You're not running a hotspot; everyone who should be on your network should know its name.

3. Change your SSID from the default.  Hackers know that routers come with default SSIDs and look for them.

4. Set up encryption with an encryption key.  The longer, the better. WPA (if your network and all your computers can support 802.11G) is better than WEP.  WEP is better than nothing.

5. Limit access to only the computers you want on the network via MAC filtering. (MAC refers to unique NIC (Network Interface Card) addresses, not Macintosh computers, and not IP addresses.)  This isn't a defense against hardcore freeloaders -- it's possible to fake MAC addresses -- but it keeps out casual interlopers.

6. Change the range of and/or limit the number of automatically assigned IP addresses (DHCP) to reduce the chance of extra users.  Again, hackers know what ranges routers come from the factory with.  Changing them makes it a little harder to hop on board.

Generally, to access your router’s administration pages, hook up a computer directly to the router and enter the router’s local IP address into a browser’s address window.  

Here's how to find your router's IP address:

1. Click on the Start button.

2. Click Run...

3. In the text box, type in  

cmd

and press Enter

4. A black "DOS box" window will pop up.  Type into it  

ipconfig  /all

and press Enter.

5. A bunch of seeming gibberish will fill the screen.  On the line next to "Default Gateway" your router's IP address should appear.

That should go far toward hardening your wireless network.

Answer 2

If you know who is piggy backing tell them everything they are doing is being monitored and their idenities will be sold on the black market. Other than that get a WEP code.