I going on vacation. I want to be sure that my computer is not accessed while I am gone. Should I unhook?

Question

I'm a bit paranoid and do not trust my landlord and the person he chose to oversee the tenants. I believe they might enter my apartment while I am on vacation. The manager gave a real good eye on my computer and the cable modem.

Should I unhook something and hide it to make it diffucult for them to acess my computer?

Answer 1

You could disconnect the modem and hide it if it makes you feel better.

You could also just use a password to access the computer yourself so that even if it was turned on, they couldn't get in.

Good luck.

Answer 2

paranoid or not, it's a good question, especially nowadays when PCs are a thief's number one,  easiest to steal and resell item. And you not being there a whole week gives someone even more opportunity. Find someone you KNOW you can trust, and leave it with them. Also, password protect it with something easy for YOU to remember, that no one else can guess. DO NOT use a name, numbers from an address or soc. sec card, the year you were born, or anything someone else could guess. They may be easy for you, but they are also easy for a thief to figure out.

h**l, a thief could pull up in a "moving van" and walk out with all your stuff, in broad daylight. I say on "To Catch A Thief" [a show on TV], where one guy pretended to be a pool guy; a city inspector, even a glass company worker. It made him and his buddy breaking in by using a glass cutter look totally normal.

I suggest you leave your stuff with someone you KNOW you can trust.

Answer 3

Just unplug it. You can also use some small piece of paper ( like that used on VCR or DVD labels. Stick it up high on your door and door jam. If anyone opens the door while you are gone it will tear the paper.....then you can confront your landlord about entering your apartment while you are gone. That violates Landlord - Tenants Laws.

Or you can go to Radio Shack and buy one of those cheap alarms that attach to inside of door. It has a code to turn it off...so if anyone enters and doesn't enter the right code...it sounds an audible alarm.

Answer 4

its better to unhook it and hide it, then be worrying about it on your vacation

Answer 5

Why dont you just make up a password for your computer?

Answer 6

Maybe the Internet provider can cut the service for a time, you may even get a credit.

If not, disconnect the modem and hide it in the refrig.

Answer 7

Sounds like you're more than "a bit paranoid".  Time for tin foil hats.

Answer 8

Yes, you may be a little paranoid, but it is better anyway to unhook it and have it completely unplugged, to prevent damage from power surges/outages while you're away.

If it makes you more comfortable, by all means do it.

Don't you have your computer protected with a password for your own security?    

In any case, there's absolutely nothing wrong in being concerned with the security/privacy issue.