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My LAN consists of 3 PCs connected to my D-Link Wireless router via Category
5 cable. On rare occasions I also use a laptop that gains access to the LAN
with a wireless connection. The router connects to the outside world with a
cable modem.

I use Windows XP on all of my computers, have the XP firewall activated, and
use an antivirus and antispyware program. Is it possible for someone outside
my home to gain access to my system in any way when the laptop is not being
used? If so, what can I do to prevent it? Thanks.

Gain access to what? It is not known yet how to find way through Windows
firewall, and what Alice will find there.

If the questioon is about the network infrastructure, the answer would be -
if you use encryption and authentication, the intrusion will unlikely to
happen. If you are not that concerned about access to the network,
encryption is goodness, as likes of POP3 mail passwords are often sent in
clear - discloses you information and then some.

--
Svyatoslav Pidgorny, MVP, MCSE
-= F1 is the key =-



"Papa" <> wrote in message
news:...
> My LAN consists of 3 PCs connected to my D-Link Wireless router via
Category
> 5 cable. On rare occasions I also use a laptop that gains access to the
LAN
> with a wireless connection. The router connects to the outside world with
a
> cable modem.
>
> I use Windows XP on all of my computers, have the XP firewall activated,
and
> use an antivirus and antispyware program. Is it possible for someone
outside
> my home to gain access to my system in any way when the laptop is not
being
> used? If so, what can I do to prevent it? Thanks.
>
>

By "gain access", I meant anything that my system uses - such as access to
the internet (not too concerned about that), access to my important files
(very concerned), access to my email, or access to these things in a
destructive way (very, very concerned).

Papa wrote:

> My LAN consists of 3 PCs connected to my D-Link Wireless router via
> Category 5 cable. On rare occasions I also use a laptop that gains
> access to the LAN with a wireless connection. The router connects to
> the outside world with a cable modem.
>
> I use Windows XP on all of my computers, have the XP firewall
> activated, and use an antivirus and antispyware program. Is it
> possible for someone outside my home to gain access to my system in
> any way when the laptop is not being used? If so, what can I do to
> prevent it? Thanks.

If you follow good security practices, then it is unlikely. I won't say
"impossible", but it is unlikely. You want to use wireless encryption,
strong passwords, and keep your computer clean. Here are some links to
help you with good security practices:

Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

TechNet's 10 Immutable Laws of Security -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/arc.../10imlaws.mspx

TechNet Security Checklists and Resource Guides -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/arc...t/default.mspx

Another great place to get and share ideas is on the forums here:
http://aumha.net

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Thank you. Most helpful.

Hi Papa

One option is disable Wireless in the router and enable it as and when
needed as well as strong security when Wireless is enabled

Steve

"Papa" <> wrote in message
news:...
> My LAN consists of 3 PCs connected to my D-Link Wireless router via
Category
> 5 cable. On rare occasions I also use a laptop that gains access to the
LAN
> with a wireless connection. The router connects to the outside world with
a
> cable modem.
>
> I use Windows XP on all of my computers, have the XP firewall activated,
and
> use an antivirus and antispyware program. Is it possible for someone
outside
> my home to gain access to my system in any way when the laptop is not
being
> used? If so, what can I do to prevent it? Thanks.
>
>