Can Neighbor Access My Files?

Hello,

My neighbor has given me permission to use her wireless internet access.
She does not have security enabled, so I just connect to it. My questions
are, a) could this allow her to access files on my computer? b) What would
she see? My computer name? Just the IP address? c) Could she hack into my
hard drive and look at files? d) What about inbound and outbound emails?

Thanks,
Marc

=?Utf-8?B?TWFyYw==?=

Well are you sharing your hard drive? If sharing is turn off, it's unlikely
she can look at your files. In theory she is setup to do a man in the middle
attack, so yes she has the potential to track your every move on the
Internet and filter your e-mail, read your e-mail learn your e-mail
passwords, indeed any user name password that you use through her
connection.

Yes she has access to your IP address, so what? It's child's play to find
your computer name, your IP address (her access point controls this by the
way) your MAC address, When you are on her access point.

--
David Hettel

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group for everyone
to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions addressed directly to me in
E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and confers
no rights.



"Marc" <> wrote in message
news:2644CCAD-31C9-4B7B-B398-...
> Hello,
>
> My neighbor has given me permission to use her wireless internet access.
> She does not have security enabled, so I just connect to it. My questions
> are, a) could this allow her to access files on my computer? b) What
> would
> she see? My computer name? Just the IP address? c) Could she hack into
> my
> hard drive and look at files? d) What about inbound and outbound emails?
>
> Thanks,
> Marc

David Hettel

Hi
The Wireless security has to be On, otherwise the both of you are Not
secured from each other, and from other people.
She would know your computer name and local IP but that is not very relevant
to security issues in your situation.
Your computer is on the same Network as you friend. If you are not switching
On the Filesharing and use a software Firewall that block traffic between
LAN computer the content of you hard drive will be safe (unless she is a
super hacker).
Jack (MVP-Networking).


"Marc" <> wrote in message
news:2644CCAD-31C9-4B7B-B398-...
> Hello,
>
> My neighbor has given me permission to use her wireless internet access.
> She does not have security enabled, so I just connect to it. My questions
> are, a) could this allow her to access files on my computer? b) What
> would
> she see? My computer name? Just the IP address? c) Could she hack into
> my
> hard drive and look at files? d) What about inbound and outbound emails?
>
> Thanks,
> Marc

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

You are pretty much as exposed as putting your computer directly onto the
public internet (e.g. using a modem). Your neighbour has controls over what
IP address you get.

Remember your data is out there in the big bad world prior to getting to
your shared access point. And pages you get at through a 128 bit encrypted
SSL pages are as secure on this shared connection as they are in a hotel or
starbucks.

Generally sharing connections is a bad idea unless you really trust the
other party. Its more a bad idea for your neighbour though - if you go
hacking into NASA or downloading illegal stuff - they are likely to get in
trouble.

But don't think that means you can get away with it, they will catch you
eventually...

- Chris

"Marc" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> My neighbor has given me permission to use her wireless internet access.
> She does not have security enabled, so I just connect to it. My questions
> are, a) could this allow her to access files on my computer? b) What would
> she see? My computer name? Just the IP address? c) Could she hack into my
> hard drive and look at files? d) What about inbound and outbound emails?
>
> Thanks,
> Marc

=?Utf-8?B?Q2hyaXMgUw==?=

On 5-Feb-2007, =?Utf-8?B?Q2hyaXMgUw==?= <> wrote:

> > My neighbor has given me permission to use her wireless internet access.
> > She does not have security enabled, so I just connect to it. My questions
> > are, a) could this allow her to access files on my computer? b) What would
> > she see? My computer name? Just the IP address? c) Could she hack into my
> > hard drive and look at files? d) What about inbound and outbound emails?

Ethereal (free download) will, on an unencrypted connection, show the
content (payload) of packets in plain text.
Theoretically revealing many of your passwords, content of emails, and
leaving you open to identity theft.
Being an unsecured network, any snooper with a laptop could also
do the same. There are high gain aerials that can give a wireless
connection over surprisingly long distances, in urban areas 10 or
20 houses away. So both of you could be at risk.

If you go down this route I'd advise dialup (conventional PSTN modem)
for sensitive information, banking, etc. Not 100% secure, but better
than no security at all.

ato_zee@hotmail.com