Can people living nearby to me steal my wireless internet signal?

Question

And how could I tell if they are?
(and is it even bad for me?)
I have Verizon DSL and a Westell wireless router.
thank you

Answer 1

Yes they can, it's only bad if they start hounding it so bad you lag alot online. (More than normal, anyway) It doesn't increase the cost of anything you pay. You can tell by checking your connection, and getting the IP adresses that don't match yours. You can stop them by setting up a password; easily enough done. But I'd just let other's use it unless it affects you negatively, and then ask them to share the cost of a updated account or enable a password. No, letting others use your wireless isn't a security hazzard, and they can not even see what you've been looking at.

Answer 2

Definitely will. They will just use an wireless network adapter (either built-in or external) and they can detect the wireless router which may be yours in their list. They will look through the list and click on those with high signals and opened access. Then they enjoy the FREE internet access right from their home.

To protect it, simply go to the Wireless Router Website or have they given you a website to access to your own settings for Router and under wireless access, click on restrict all wireless access.

Answer 3

yes. to find out how much bandwidth you're losing to them, press ctl-alt-del and go to the networking tab to see of there's any draw to your connection (besides your own if you are processing a network activity). Further, there should be a hardware or software firewall and wep encryption to allow you to use a password (usually the serial #) for each computer in your home to log in (probably only have to do it once) to your wireless routher so no un-authorized individuals can steal your bandwidth.

Check out the links below for instructions

Answer 4

Yes, they can. When I visit my grandma, I tend to "borrow" the wireless Internet connection of the person next door.

It's only bad for you if the use up a lot of bandwidth so your connection starts to slow down, or if they use it for questionable or illegal activities. Theoretically, they can spy on you or you can spy on them. I've no idea how, but I know it can be done. They could also be illegally downloading copyrighted material, hacking into files, or a number of other things, and their IP address is linked to YOUR name, not theirs.

You can protect your network with a password, and make it invisible to other computers that don't know its name. I don't know how to set up either one of those with your specific hardware, but I'm sure you can find out in the owners manual, "Read Me" file, or website for your wireless router. Neither of those precautions will keep out a serious hacker, but they should do it for your average neighbor. Wireless networks don't reach that far, so they'd have to be pretty near your house to pick up your network, so chances are there's not going to be anyone stealing your signal anyway.

Chances are that password-protection is enough, even though it's supposedly pretty easy to get around. There are all kinds of things you could to do make it harder to get into, but basically, if anyone is going to bother to get around your password protection, they'll get around whatever else you try.

Answer 5

Yeah I'm pretty sure that people can use your wireless internet. But why don't you call your wireless network or the router company and ask if your network is secured. If not, then ask them how to, I'm pretty sure they take you through a step by step process.

Answer 6

Yes they can, but stealing your connection doesn't make them any more able to steal personal info.

Many cities are researching city-wide wireless internet for all residents. Soon, it will be a moot point anyway.

Answer 7

Oh yes, if you have not secured it they can access your wireless network. My cousin was having the same problem until she secured it with a pass key. Anyone can access your network without having it secured.

Answer 8

Yes they can. You need to make your signal secure by having a log on code.

Answer 9

yes they can if you make your signal public with no incriptions or mac addresses.
distance depends on your suroundings, i.e. walls, wires in the walls, wireless 2.4 ghz phones

Answer 10

try maybe unsecuring it. consult your manual. go to the troubleshooting part. if that deosnt help you simply give sony a call. the number is on the first few pages of the manual. its called the help and support center or something like that.