Would it be possible for my neighbor in an apartment to intercept my wireless internet and go through my bank?

Question

Statements and such. he came up asking weird questions recently about my bank. I have never talked to him about that stuff. he said "do you have a computer? I love the computer" and a bunch of other wierd stuff. Then he was asking me about my political affilliations. i keep up on issues..."Who are you gonna vote for" with this smartass smirk on his face. I barely know the guy and he knocks on the door out of the blue for a "chat".

Then, I got a message from my computer telling me there "was one or more networks available" and there was my normal network with another totally different name

I removed the second one from my list.

Is there any other precaution and can I tell if he's been doing this.

If he's up to this he's a real moron, because he really tipped his hand

Thanks guys, i called ATT and the guy helped me. It was that WEP_PSK thing... I was vulnerable after all

Changed network name (had password already)

Answer 1

Even though this is generalized it should help you ensure your Wi-Fi is set up to prevent him from gaining access.

Pay close attention to the password information. The password is the is the first and most important step in protecting any computer or Wi-Fi from unwanted access.

Most wireless routers are configured through your Internet browser. So you must connect your wireless router to a computer.

Type your router's IP address into your browser's address bar. You can find the IP address in your router's manual. You'll be prompted for a user name and password. These will also be listed in your manual.

You want to use WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption to protect your network. You'll typically see this setting as WPA-PSK (pre-shared key). You'll be prompted to enter a password of eight to 63 characters--letters, numbers and symbols. The router will use the password to build an encryption key.

WPA2 is the latest and safest version of WPA. The only weak point of WPA2 is your password. So make it as strong as possible. Here is a tip that will help.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password_checker.mspx

Your router may use WPA, the forerunner to WPA2. If so, be sure your password has at least 21 characters.

The earliest security standard is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Don't use that; it is easily broken. Check the router manufacturer's site for updates. If there aren't any, don't use the router to go online.

Now you must update your computers. Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Properties from the pop-up menu and select the Wireless Networks tab. You should see your network listed under "Preferred networks." Select it and click Properties. If it's not listed, click the Add button. In the box labeled "Network name (SSID)," enter your network's name.

Under Network Authentication, select WPA-PSK. Select AES under "Data encryption." Under "Network key," enter the same password you used for your router. You must enter it twice to confirm it. Make sure "The key is provided for me automatically" is not checked. Click OK>>OK.

Answer 2

I don't want to say its impossible, but highly improbable. A couple of things could be happening.

1) You may not have secured your wireless network and may have been essentially broadcasting your browsing for the world to see. Now communication with a bank, after you login, is generally encrypted and therefore they may see the wireless traffic but wouldn't know what it meant. I wouldn't panic about that although I would enable whatever wireless security came with my router. Check with the vendors website to learn how.

2) You may have secured your wireless network but he used a program like AirSnort to gather enough packets to crack it. Again this only allows them access to see your general network traffic, not traffic that is secured using SSL, VPN, IPSec, etc encryption technologies.

3) You may have been browsing the web using HIS wireless network. Your wireless cards will grab whatever strong open signal they can find. If you are on his network, and he bothers to read the appropriate logs of activity then he can see what sights you visit and infer everything else hidden in his smirk. However, he still can't see encrypted communication.

Now, assuming your network wasn't secured or that he cracked it, it is theoretically possible that he could use certain tools to hack into your computer, plant something that monitors your keystrokes and with that and the information on what sites you visit, could then access your bank as you. Don't Panic!

Install some anti-virus programs (AVG Free Edition) on your computer, update them, then run them. Install anti-spyware programs (Ad-Aware or Spybot Search and Destroy), update them, then run them. And finally, put a free firewall (Comodo or Zone Alarm) on your computer, and turn it on! Oh, and just to be sure, change your passwords with your online banking, which you should be doing about every 6 months or less anyways.

Answer 3

You need to set your router to enable wireless security. This can be complicated for a first timer, so call the manufacturer, thats what I did to learn how, they will walk you through this..

If he is able to connect to your network because you dont have security enabled, it is easy to hack your computer..... I experimented at home looking on the internet, about 20 min I found, and downloaded 2 free programs, and hacked my other computer, do not wait any longer, he could be snooping through your computer as we speak!

As for the computer telling you theres more than one network, your wireless card is just seeing another router, probably a close neighbor.......thats what wireless cards do, tell you when a router is in range for you to connect to, its nothing to worry about.

Answer 4

Judging by his questions, it's possible that the neighbor has already broken into your wireless. Just in case, switch to a cabled connection until you get your wireless network secured.

Answer 5

you need to put a password on your wireless network. Something he'll NEVER guess.
He may be intercepting your mail as well.

Answer 6

yes he can your in whats called a hot spot or wifi and yes the wep can be cracked any one up to 1000 feet can do this