When stealing a Internet signal that is unsecured what information can a person get a hold of?

Question

Do you think going on websites such as myspace and my email and this site are safe to go on during school? i am connecting to a unsecured network but at home i have a secure network. so when im at home can the person not get into my information? it can only be done while im on their network? how do i secure it?...is that the wifi? How does a person know when im using their signal? other then slowing it down? they don't know unless they go into their computer and check right? If i have virus protection does it make it harder for them to mess with my computer? i also have a password when starting windows will this protect the information on my computer?

Answer 1

your ip address were the Internet connection is coming from. , i dont think they can hack into anything.

Answer 2

From "It's All Geek To Me" on The Discovery Channel:

"Intercepting Wi-Fi signals. This segment creeped me out. I could not believe how much this guy could intercept.
...
So how do you protect yourself?
If you see a padlock in the corner of your Web browser, then you have an encrypted connection, and you don’t have to worry about packet sniffers.
But email and anything you send or receive on other (non-encrypted) Web sites are another story. Probably the best way to protect yourself is to use VPN (virtual-private networking) software. Unfortunately, this generally costs a little bit of money, and the setup is not for novices."

Tips:
1) Make sure a web site is secure before submitting any personal information, at home or on a public network.
2) Do your e-mailing and online banking at home, not at Starbucks.
3) Just remember, big brother is always online. There is always someone looking for vulnerability. The Internet brings the world into your home, the good and the bad.
4) ANYTHING that is sent over an unsecured internet connection is suseptible to being intercepted (like yelling out your window)

Answer 3

Depends on the level of sophistication of the hacker and your hardware/software.

They could monitor your network traffic and extract passwords and other sensitive information. Especially in an unencrypted open network signal.

Or, they could download lots of P2P content, host child porn, etc... and the person that owned the internet account would have authorities pounding on their door.

Secure your wireless, it's easy to do. Prevents headaches later.

Answer 4

They can get all information transmitted and access to anything attached, basically they 0wn the lot! It is also illegal to access an unsecured connection without the owners permission.

Answer 5

Name
Rank
Serial Number

Answer 6

If your asking what info can the owner of the connection get? If they know what they are doing, they can intercept ANYTHING you transmit over that connection. But anyone who doesn't know how to secure a WAP will not know how to find out said info.

Answer 7

anything that is stored on ur computer such as hidden files, websites u've visited, and anything else u have on ur computer

Answer 8

Anything that's on their computer that they have set up in shared folders.

Answer 9

All info