Basically I use that 3rd computer just for just downloading(music, movies, ect). It is a very old computer so I'm not concerned about it getting a virus, however I am worried about my other two computers(which I only download from reputable sites) which use the same router which is WPA-2 protected. So basically my question is if my 3rd computer gets a virus...can it spread to the 2 other computers using the same router and can a person that somehow hacked into the 3rd computer via a virus then easily hack into the other 2 computers which did not download the file?
Any help would be much appreciated!
2007-02-20 05:57:53 · 6 answers · asked by Bill 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Your computers are not going to be "hacked" with WPA2 security. And as long as you have a good antivirus program, a virus is not going to get past the router, so you can relax. Just get AVG 7.5 or Avast Home Edition and you'll be good. The most you will get is some adware, which Ad-Aware will catch if you download and install it.
I only have 1 computer on a wireless router with WPA2 security. Nothing gets past it except some annoying spyware, which I clean up twice a week with SpyBot and Ad-Aware.
2007-02-20 06:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"So basically my question is if my 3rd computer gets a virus...can it spread to the 2 other computers using the same router and can a person that somehow hacked into the 3rd computer via a virus then easily hack into the other 2 computers which did not download the file?"
If a virus got on that PC and it spread over network connections, then it would attempt to spread to the other 2 PCs on your network. Most antivirus and Windows Updates are good at circumventing these virii now though.
If a 'hacker' can get access to your 3rd externally from the network, then that would make it easier, although not necessarily possible, for them to get access to your other PCs.
2007-02-20 06:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by Pfo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all: Let's end this WPA2 is uncrackable stuff. Who needs to crack it when you can bruce force it in 60 seconds. See http://www.shawnhogan.com/2006/08/how-to-crack-128-bit-wireless-networks.html for more information.
The more likely scenario is that you'll download a virus or get one via email that will be able to connect to the other PCs via your wireless connection. Remember that the only thing that's "protected" is the wireless side on WPA2. Normal communications can occur between the clients because you're only encrypting the transmission media, not protecting them from talking to each other.
Bottom line, and it's already been said, you still need AV and anti-spyware software on all PCs on your network to protect them from this type of attack.
Don
2007-02-20 11:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by W G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WPA2 is uncrackable so you have a much greater chance of the 3 PCs downloading a virus on their own than of a virus spreading from one PC to the other two. Just use a good AV software and you're good.
2007-02-20 06:18:05 · answer #4 · answered by G.D. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WPA2 has nothing to do with preventing you from getting infected with a virus or spyware. Antivirus and Antispyware programs do this function. Each computer needs to have AV/AS programs loaded and running on them.
2007-02-20 07:36:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup
2007-02-20 07:03:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋