Can a network administrator watch what I'm doing on-line?

Question

I live in a big house with five other guys and we have one router and we're networked. Do we have to be networked to get on-line? We are all on wireless. If not, what can the administrator see? Only when I get on-line, or anytime I'm on the computer? Also, is there any software that blocks the administrator out? I don't have to worry about pissing him off, he's just a roommate. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Answer 1

Well the truth is that anyone on the same network could install and use packet sniffing on a machine and capture any and all network traffic. (Although not an easy to decipher item).

The administrator (unless you are going through a server of some sort) really doesn't see much of anything from the wireless traffic. He can see any shared folders on your computer so remove file and printer sharing from you network connections you dont need that for internet use. Then get yourself some good firewall software.

No matter where you use wireless (local area wise) your signals can be "read" by other machines. Just be sure you use "secure" connections - but even with that other machines on the same LAN can read your transmissions with sniffing software.
There are "access points" which indeed islolate all wireless traffic from other wireless traffic thus there is no LAN so the only place that could be tapped is the wired line. (Proxim, etc) not from your local store unfortunately.

But all that said, unless you are really uncomfortable with your roommates, why worry about it? If you are uncomfortable - move or get your own DSL/Cable line. (then you have to worry about the ISP!!!!)