how do know if someone's stealing?

Question

I've read that neighbors can use one's internet connection, but I'm not sure if I have to worry about that...   I don't know if I have a wireless card (under Network Adapters it says:Intel Pro/100 VE...), but I have cable internet and am using a 'Wireless G Cable Gateway' (modem/router).   1.  Am I susceptible to someone stealing my connection?  2.  How would I know if it was happening to me? 3.  Does the Windows XP firewall warn about this? 4.  If I had another computer, could I use the same connection, or is that illegal?   thanks

volcano11 · Answer

How are you connecting the computer to the router right now - by a wired ethernet connection or a wireless? (The Intel Pro 100 VE adapter is an ethernet adapter for a wired connection)

To answer your questions:

1. Am I susceptible to someone stealing my connection? If you have an unsecured wireless router, then yes, you are susceptible to someone using that connection without your permission. Furthermore, if you have file and printer sharing enabled on your computer, anyone that can connect to your wireless network, also has access to your the files on your computer.

2. How would I know if it was happening to me? You could log on to your router's configuration utility and look at the table of dhcp clients. If you see more clients that you know are connected, then it means someone else is using your wireless connection.

3. Does the Windows XP firewall warn about this? No

4. If I had another computer, could I use the same connection, or is that illegal? The whole purpose of having a router is to share a single broadband internet connection among multiple computers. Unless your ISP specfically prohibits this (rare nowdays) it is perfectly legal.

Steve

NemesisDB · Answer

Unless your ISP specfically prohibits this (rare nowdays) it is perfectly legal.

which is why god created mac cloning ... honestly, I hated my first ISP that wouldn't allow router mac addresses ... way back in the day as it was

carmen33 · Answer

Thanks for the responses/info.   My computer is connected to the modem/router using an Ethernet cable, so does that mean I DON'T have wireless capability?    I was hoping I could 'steal' my own connection if I got another computer :).   I don't think I have network capability either since I didn't purchase that option from my Hi-speed cable internet provider.   I looked around for the 'configuration utility' on my Linksys WCG200 router, but I couldn't find anything with that title or a list of 'dhcp' clients...there was a log of activity, but I don't think that was what I was looking for.   Obviously I don't know much about this...I was just hoping to find out if my DIM 4700 had a 'wireless' card or wireless capability that would allow other computers to connect to my existing connection/address.   thanks again.

volcano11 · Answer

The Linksys WCG200 is both a cable modem and a router. This device gives you the "network capability". You do not need to purchase it from your cable provider (they will just sell you another router). If you have another computer you want to connect to the internet, either through a wired connection or a wireless network all you would need to do is plug the the ethernet adapter from the other computer into one of the LAN ports on the WCG200 or get a wireless network card for the other computer. The 4700 does not come standard with a wireless card but you can purchase and install a PCI wireless network card or get a USB wireless network adapter and plug it into one the USB ports on the 4700

The User Guide for the WCG200 can be downloaded or viewed at:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadervalue2=inline%3B+filename%3Dwcg200_ug%252C1.pdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1130280074286&ssbinary=true

On page 52 of the this document it shows how to access the DCHP clients table. You should really take the time to read the manual.

Steve

carmen33 · Answer

WOW! What can I say...THANKS for the advice and information...you even answered some OTHER questions I had--but then, you knew that :). Much appreciated.  Peace.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

how do know if someone's stealing?

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