On a wireless house computer set up, if the host computer is subscribed to an internet security provider are the other computers protected? How does that work?

Comments

• Not true, that wireless is "totally unsecure".
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  ANY computer connected to a network is subject to hacking IF it can be accessed by an outside agency. The only difference with wireless is that there is no hardwire connection to the network.
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  There are shielding techniques used to prevent leakage of wireless signals outside of approved areas, which prevents outside activities from accessing any computers with wireless capabilities.
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  Additionally, while there may be SOME hackers out there who may be able to hack their way into MOST computers, I daresay they cannot hack into EVERY computer. While you are correct with respect to the way MOST privately owned computers are operated in wireless environments, there are those that you are almost certainly NOT going to be able to hack into because those people take computer security VERY seriously. And even if you DO manage to hack into those people's computers, all sensitive data is encrypted to prevent accessing it even if it's stolen.
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  And for those who REALLY don't want you to access their stuff, they keep the sensitive material on a non-networked computer or a secure LAN with no outside access and transfer data from one to the other via secure physical means.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• Project & Chief,
  So are saying the purpose of encrypted wireless access then can only do so much? The totally invested hacker may get in, but the casual, haven't-got-time-for-evil computer use person like me would never figure it out? I "feel" safer at home, but when the laptop leaves home it must be sure to have its own protection program and the standard ones supplied by Dell are insufficient? Thoughts?

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  by not4shallow on February 6th, 2009

• You should consider the following for personal computer use:
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  1. At least one good virus protection program suite.
  2. Have your wireless router access password protected.
  3. Password protect your personal computer for logon.
  4. Routinely scan your computer for virus' and malware and ALWAYS make sure you keep your antivirus programs and operating system up to date with the latest upgrades and files. This can be set up to be done automatically.
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  There are lots of other things you can do as well, but those are the minimum. Most hackers are hackes of opportunity...meaning if it isn't quick and easy, they will pass you over for one of the millions of other computers out there that are easier to hack.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• Some of those other things you can do are really simple:
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  -Don't surf questionable sites.
  -Go directly to the site's home address by typing it in your browser or saving the link in your favorites...NEVER go through links which come to you from other untrusted sources, like an email phishing scam. Like your banking institution and what-not.
  -Do not download stuff that you didn't specifically ask for unless you trust the source.
  -When your computer is not in use, turn it off. NOBODY can hack your computer if it's off. And though it's possible that a piece of malware program can be installed that would start your computer up later, this can be prevented by turning off the power strip you have the computer plugged into.
  -Get into the habit of NOT giving out ANY personal information over the internet.
  -DON'T save files on your computer which have your personal information on them...like Word documents or Excel spreadsheets with your social security number, passwords, PIN's, combinations, credit card numbers, account numbers, secret questions and answers, and so forth. Your browser and some other programs might have some of this data as part of what you enter for your banking institutions and so forth, but that data is much more difficult for the average person to find than simply opening up a Word document where you've laid it all out to see.
  -Clear your browser history and temporary files periodically.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• -Consider a "file shredder" program. Instead of deleting a file normally, use the file shredder program to do this. It will permanently delete the file and overwrite the space it occupied such that it cannot be recovered.
  -Don't keep information on your computer you don't want others to have. If someone hacks your computer and copies all your music files and Word or Excel documents...who really cares as long as you don't have personal information that can be used to mess with your personal finances and what-not?
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  And there are more.
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  jerv (and ProjectC16, if he's really as good a hacker as he claims to be) can give you additional pointers as well.
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  Remember this: There are TWO things to consider for security...preventing someone else from getting into your system, and preventing someone else from getting useful information is they DO get into your system.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• A side note here:
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  You've heard that Apple/Mac operating systems are less prone to being hacked than Microsoft PC systems, probably.
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  This is true. But it's NOT true that it's totally due to Mac computer operating systems being more secure, per se. The fact of the matter is that PC's are FAR more prevalent than Mac's. There are simply far more PC's with Microsoft operating systems being used than Mac's. In the numbers game, this means it's far more profitable for hackers to concentrate on PC's with Microsoft operating systems than for Mac's.
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  So this means that if you use a Mac, you will be less prone to hacking attacks.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• After re-reading your last comment, I noticed I hadn't completely addressed this: "...when the laptop leaves home it must be sure to have its own protection program and the standard ones supplied by Dell are insufficient? Thoughts?"
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  The answer to this is ABSOLUTELY! Your computer should ALWAYS have an active, up to date virus protection suite on it.
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  DELL does not, as far as I know, have their own antivirus protection. However, you laptop MAY come with one installed on a trial basis because DELL contracts with some other company, like Norton for example. This is fine. Whatever you use, make sure it's set up properly, your subscription is current, and it's keeping the antivirus files up to date.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• At least one good virus protection program suite - I can build a custom bot to deactivate your AV and build a custom virus to infect you.
  Have your wireless router access password protected - I told already, I can decrypt that one with Air Attack programs. There are several programs available. The last one was a bundle with linux - Security Auditor Tools LiveCD - also used by FBI.
  Password protect your personal computer for logon - what has that to do with wireless internet?
  Routinely scan your computer for virus' ... - even the best programs or custom build ones are penetratable. I know some of them having a special backdoor and I've seen how simple it was to destroy a custom "uber" FW.
  ... if you use a Mac, you will be less prone to hacking attacks. - lol, well yeah, I have less chance to screw your OS, but I can access your internet activity tho.
  
  There are shielding techniques ... - Tell me about those.
  
  Like one FBI agent said "There is no protection against Air Attacks".

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  by user deleted on February 6th, 2009

• The shielding techniques are used to prevent broadcast of wireless information beyond a designated security perimeter. This is more applicable to the systems I work on installing aboard air craft carriers which handle classified information. Shielding a house, or portions of a house would NOT be cost effective. To be sure, most LAN systems aboard ship are hardwired for security reasons.
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  And off ship communications are encrypted...which I SERIOUSLY doubt you will be able to hack. But again, these methods are not practical for common use (at least, not the encryption equipment used aboard ship..cost prohibitive).
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  As for the rest...I already said a dedicated hacker will be able to penetrate most systems IF he knows what he's doing. And wireless is more vulnerable, by definition, because the information is broadcast radio waves.
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  You present only doom and gloom situations, ProjectC16. Give not4shallow something USEFUL for practical use. What she needs is basic, common sense things she can do to give her a reasonably safe environment to utilize her computer in. If you are truely adept at hacking, then you will be able to do this. No computer that is accessable by outside activities is truely safe from attack. That is a given I acknowledged earlier.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009

• Oh wait.. I haven't yet answered her comment.. lol..
  Unless you don't have special military/random algorythm encryption satellite connection, you're never secure outside your house. (Special connection device costs 5000$ - can't even be traced by goverment.)
  Oh yeah, 2 programs I recommend for protection against malicious stuff: Kaspersky/Avast AV and ZoneAlarm (and Spybot [TeaTimer]).
  And read The Chief's 3rd comment.
  And I'm not a hacker, just a security exploiter.

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  by user deleted on February 6th, 2009

• Wow! I'm impressed! You guys are thorough PLUS you can spell! Thanks for all the info. I will digest it and make sure to implement all that I need to. Thanks.

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  by not4shallow on February 6th, 2009

• You know, I LIKE the spelling comment!
  :):)
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  You are welcome, not4shallow.
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  And thank you, ProjectC16.

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  by The Chief on February 6th, 2009