2007-01-17 03:58:24 · 4 answers · asked by Chocorose aka melanthe 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Not my network, it's the college's network I'm using (with their knowledge, I might add!)
2007-01-17 04:17:18 · update #1
I'm pretty disappointed with most of the answers in this question. The answer is yes and it can happen in real time. I'm a network security consultant and I can assure you that any and all wireless traffic that's unprotected or protected with WEP can be read quite easily!
Basically, a program like airsnare or kismet will run and capture wireless packets to a file that's being read by protocol analyser like wireshark. That's it! It's trivial to pull the conversations out from there with a simple string search tool.
Be careful what you say in there!
--Dennis
2007-01-17 05:34:44 · answer #1 · answered by Dennis R 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In short, no. Not unless you were hacked somehow. All the unsecure network does is open up the internet connection to users without a password.
Just to add - The chances are very slim, as the comment below suggests. It is very simple however to set up a secure network. Your router should have an IP address you can go to using IE or whatever browser you use. Once logged on you can set up a secure WEP passkey.
If you do this I advise setting it up using a wired connection (ie; connect an ethernet cable between the PC and the router) first, so that you do not lose a connection during setup!
Oh right, well obviously the danger is always there I suppose, I wouldnt get too caught up in the hype of hackers and what not, it's not nearly as dangerous as you may be led to believe!
2007-01-17 12:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by clarky303 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Be aware if they are any good (IE at any University/ School etc) the pupils and staff can read anything on you computer.
I'm on a secure system and I can see what everyone is doing. However I am SOOO good at it. Its the local Supermarket's wireless for in the store and I've borrowed a bit of bandwidth. Easy if you know how.
2007-01-17 12:05:58 · answer #3 · answered by malejocelyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
acually yea they can, but only if they have a very expensive router (about$2000) and hey applyed a "sniffer" program to it. It's unlikely though as most people/companies that buy those routers are smart enough to secure them.
2007-01-17 12:04:50 · answer #4 · answered by Firedog 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋