Can anyone steal or view information from my computer if my home wireless network is unsecured?

Answer 1

To make your situation worse, you are currently login with administrative access and has no password assigned to your account. That's a disaster. :D


You definetely want to secure your wireless AND your computer.

see Linksys website to get general idea about securing wireless network:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1114037291212&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

Hope it helps...

Answer 2

While it's not a good idea to leave your wireless connection unsecured, some of the given answers here are not entirely correct.

Let's start with the obvious... If your wireless connection is unsecured, but your computer is turned off, well, nobody is going to get into anything. If the workstation itself is protected from the wireless network by a strong firewall and is properly secured, again, it's going to be *very* difficult for anyone to get at it.

Wireless can be secured fairly well, it just takes a little know-how. For home users, WPA-PSK can provide *very* strong encryption, depending on the strength of the key used and how you safeguard the key itself. I recommend you check out Steve Gibson's website, specifically is webcasts. The link will be provided below.

The biggest problem with an unsecured wireless connection is that anyone can use it, and they can do what they like, potentially illegal activities. (Do you want someone downloading child pornography using your bandwidth? Who's door are the authorities going to knock on?)

If you're using Windows XP to configure and manage your wireless connection, then contrary to popular belief you *don't* want to disable the network, or SSID, broadcasting. Windows' Wireless Zero Configuration service uses it. Besides, disabling it provides you with a false sense of security, anyone actively looking for wireless connections within range with find your network and grab your SSID the first time you send a packet over the air. SSIDs are sent in the clear as part of the packet header, it's how your AP differentiates your traffic from your neighbors wireless traffic.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

absolutely! unsecured wireless is extraordinarily dangerous. It's easy for a computer-savvy guy with less than pure intentions to drive by a house in and look for an open wireless network, and start putzing with people's files, or just downloading stuff they shouldn't be, while never leaving their car. Chances are people who have no wireless security have a loose internal network too... it's just a really bad idea. The potential for abuse and possible criminal liability is huge.

Answer 4

Yes, definitely...without a problem.
Anyone who's a half-way decent hacker can get into your network if it's unsecured for the wireless.
Making your wireless "secured" will not stop a skilled hacker, but it will definitely stop the Joe-schmuck, who barely know how to type from getting your information.
Anyone with a laptop within the area covered by your router, will have access to your network for their own purposes (unsecured) without much problem...anyone with a little knowledge, can get in and get the information.

Answer 5

All of the previous answers are correct - wireless is very insecure. But I would worry more about my Internet connection then the wireless. For someone to attack your wireless connection they must be close to your home (close = less then a mile). To attack your computer from your Internet connection they can be any where in the world if they have an Internet connection too.

Keep your system updated with patches (windows users http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com), use anti-virus, and have a strong password that you change every 3 months.

Answer 6

Keep your SSID broadcast as not enabled. this way no one will see your wireless network name and tap it to use because if they do not know the SSID name then they will not know when they scan for wireless network presence. this is one way. another way is that you encrypt it and put password.

Answer 7

YES....always always always PASSWORD protect your router and research other sites like antionline.com and others for more security techniques from the paraniod about data security...and i guess it's always good to be paraniod about data security....i am one of about 26 MILLION veterans who no longer have a secret social security number or birthday and address.....

Answer 8

yes and not only that if you are at a busy place such as an office or apartment complex others who are cheap and lazy can share your internet connection, and not have to pay for it. This also can slow your internet connection down.