our wireless account has been hijacked - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

technodoll · #1 September 29th, 2006, 09:36 AM

help! the past two months, our wireless internet account has been hijacked and we're stuck paying the bill, whick is almost DOUBLE of what it's supposed to be! we have a password-protected broadband router at home, but there are apparently apps circulating which can easily crack your code and give hackers free access to your account - i feel so violated

besides changing the password again tonight, what else can we do so this doesn't happen again? if they broke into our account once, they can do it again right? help!

jiorji · #2 September 29th, 2006, 10:14 AM

do you not have an internet protection anti virus??
Norton internet protection works wonders.it's anti hacking an anti popups and anti viruses. Mine has blocked many attacks

technodoll · #3 September 29th, 2006, 10:17 AM

that is not the problem... someone is using our internet account to download huge files (41 gigs in a month!!) and we're paying for it

so we'll change the password every week and shut the router off except when we're online, that should slow them down... and hubby is looking into an app that shows WHO is logged onto your account and WHEN, so if anybody else logs on, we'll know

jawert1 · #4 September 29th, 2006, 10:19 AM

Make sure that you've got 2 settings at the ready on your router:

1. WEP or WPA passkeys/phrases @ 128 encryption
***NOTE: Write this down on a piece of paper before you click ok to set it, once set, if you haven't written it down, you will not be able to log into the router, and will do the hard reset song and dance in a crabby 2 step

(at least, that's what I do)

You'll need to go into your wireless/network interface in Windows to enter in your WEP/WPA key when you set it, once done, you'll be able to web again just fine.

2. Your router interface will have a WL setup (at least Netgear does), in which you can make an allow list, based on your computers MAC address. You can find your computers MAC address by going to Start --> RUN --> CMD. Once the command prompt pops up, type in ipconfig and it'll list it below.

If you'd like, post your router make/model and I can PM you the doc we use to walk folks through troubleshooting, complete with screenshots

technodoll · #5 September 29th, 2006, 10:32 AM

thank you!!!!

I'll get this info to hubby and when we're home tonight, run through the steps you gave... it's a linksys wireless router (99% sure, from memory, LOL! bought last autumn, is this enough info or do the models change frequently?...). gawd, what a stupid mess... sigh. thank goodness for your help!!

edit: just sent this info to hubby and he said "wow that is brilliant!!" so it should stop the hackers... big sigh of relief :-)

jawert1 · #6 September 29th, 2006, 10:44 AM

All I need to know is that it's a recent Linksys, doc w/ screenies coming your way

And yes, this is a dual layer of protection, so that any device attempting to connect to your wireless network will need to
a) be approved and have it's MAC address entered by you
b) have the WEP/WPA passkey/phrase you've chosen in it's network config

dtbmnec · #7 September 29th, 2006, 10:54 AM

Hmph jawert you beat me to it

If you want to get super technical....

Allow only certain MAC addresses on teh router (MAC addresses are TOTALLY unique to each network card...no two alike kinda deal) all you have to do is find the MAC addy of your PCs and allow only access to them

Find the MAC on your pcs:

1. Start -> Run
2. Type in "cmd" and hit enter/OK
3. At the little black window type in "ipconfig /all" and hit Enter
4. Find the MAC address of the network adapter (ie. if your PC is connecting wirelessly use the "wireless adapter"...if its on a line use "local area connection")
5. Write it down

(duh)
6. type in "exit" or hit the red x!
7. Set up your router to allow only certain mac addresses

8. save changes and watch him try! lol

That'll block 'em out! lol

If you need more help lemme know

Megan

Prin · #8 September 29th, 2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technodoll

help! the past two months, our wireless internet account has been hijacked and we're stuck paying the bill, whick is almost DOUBLE of what it's supposed to be!

You mean I could have had free high speed all this time? Kidding.

That must feel so violating. I'm not an internetty person like it seems everybody else is here.. But I hope you get this fixed and your peace of mind back.

technodoll · #9 September 29th, 2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

That must feel so violating.

that's exactly it. people taking your stuff... not enough that my appartment got robbed two years in a row, eh? now this crap!

must somehow enable growling big guard dogs as internet security... hmmm.

Prin · #10 September 29th, 2006, 02:30 PM

I wondered- if somebody hacks in and surfs kiddie porn or something illegal like that that is heavy monitored by the feds, are you liable? Like do they assume it's you and haul you away?

HunterXHunter · #11 September 29th, 2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prin

I wondered- if somebody hacks in and surfs kiddie porn or something illegal like that that is heavy monitored by the feds, are you liable? Like do they assume it's you and haul you away?

If it is, then I'm home free

kidding

technodoll · #12 September 29th, 2006, 02:38 PM

prin that's a very good question, frightening actually. i'm sure it's porn this person has been downloading, what else could it be? IT'S GOING TO STOP TONIGHT. oh my freaking god.