question for ya computer dudes

[Meatman]

So I have wireless in my house so I can have my PS3 and laptop all online, well I didn't have security enabled and some punk must have hijacked my signal and downladed some video game off the internet. My ISP sent me out a letter informing me of the news. Anyways I understand that under the user agreement I am responsible for what goes on through my account...question is, is there any way of finding out through internet activity who or what computer may have logged on through my account? If I can get an IP address I can clear this up. This letter is calling for the deletion of the files and all sorts of crap....anyways, since then I have enabled security on my wireless but is there any legal ramifications I may run into if I can't find the offending computer? Thanks in advance

-Meat

 

[newmy1]

Will be tough after the fact, plenty of software out there to track if installed when it happens. There is some forensic svcs and software out there that might be able to help, could cost more than the BS letter you got from your ISP. Your ISP also might have some ideas, I would also consider how serious the letter is, could be standard BS letter.

 

[Wade]

The person must have been pretty close to the house. Take your laptop down the street one house, and see if you can load webpages. Then you'll know how many neighbors to ask. Probably only the closest houses too you, unless you live on a hill.

Or, someone was parked out front of your house. Unlikely for a download. More likely for checking email or something. It's probably your neighbor's, or their kids.

You could unsecure your router, and have someone watch your connection, see what they do. There is a MAC address associated with every computer's network card. But, it can be modified, if you have access to the software. But, without access to the kids computer, you would never be able to prove it. Or, they'd have to do something, like log into a unencrypted site, exposing their user name in the clear. And on top of all that, you wouldn't be able to prove it was them that downloaded the file. Heck, I've been known to use a neighbors wifi when visiting my parents, just to check the email. Then I'm gone for months.

It's possible the download didn't come from you house. People hack access to networks all the time. Tell them you checked, and you don't believe the download came from your house. Ask them to check their security. They probably can't, just like you can't. Oh, they'll tell you it's not possible. Then ask them will you get in trouble for doing it, if it's not possible. Of course you will, so it must be possible. blah blah blah.....

 

[Fosgate]

I would advise you not to let them know you have a wireless router. If they bring up that you have a wireless router then maybe toss back that if they can see it's a wireless router they should see that the assigned address is not one of your computers. ISP's are responsible for the security of their signal up to the modem. after that your wireless router is your responsibility to secure. But, my GF had a 3-5yr old linksys wireless that I could not get to secure the network without declining access to her laptops. Was a pain in the rear and it was not compatible with the newer configuration software. When I moved in with her the first thing I did was put my newer router in and installed the linksys easy link software and secured no prob. If you have Midcontinent their pricks about the usage. There are several ISP's out there. Go find one that isn't so conservative.

 

[Gimpster]

Lab Rats on HowStuffWorks is kind of neat to watch. If you want to learn a little, here is a place to start watching them knot heads videos.
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/labratstv/2841-episode-65-home-network-basics-video.htm

----- Gimpster -----

 

[shortstop20]

If I can get an IP address I can clear this up.

On a wireless network there is a WAN IP Address which is assigned to you via the ISP. There is also a LAN IP Address which is assinged by the router. Then there is the IP address for each device connected to the LAN. The IP address of the computers connected to the LAN is dynamic in that the router assigns each device an IP address. The IP Address of a computer changes when it connects to different networks.

What I'm getting at is that knowing the IP Address of the computer that downloaded the files will not do you any good. It would be an IP address assigned by your router in the same subnet as your router's LAN IP Address. You would need to know their MAC address, even then you don't have much of a case. Any judge is just going to slap them on the wrist and say "Don't do that again", unless they have a previous record. It's not even worth your time to investigate the matter.

Just tell your ISP you've taken care of the problem and leave it at that. You'll probably never hear from them again. It's most likely just scare tactics.

 

[PCDOC]

/\ /\ What Shortstop said!!!! Reguardless of what you have seen on tv, there is no way to back track an unsecured wireless connection. You will be safe now that you have security enabled. It can be hacked, but it takes too much time. Someone looking for a an unsecured wireless signal will just go elsewhere now.

 

[Meatman]

Thanks for the info guys...I'm pretty sure it's the neighbors kid next door....seems that the files downloaded was a role playing game...medieval II

I kinda figured it may be a scare tactic letter but I'm going to write a letter and send it to my ISP like they ask for...at least they/I will have a written record claiming that the problem was taken care of.

 

[tree climber]

had a buddy get a letter from midco when he downloaded something and they had shut off his net and the letter had the exact filename and location on it.. kinda scary i think that they have so much access to the computers they serve

 

[Wade]

had a buddy get a letter from midco when he downloaded something and they had shut off his net and the letter had the exact filename and location on it.. kinda scary i think that they have so much access to the computers they serve

It kinda makes sense doesn't it? You asked for a file, from a particular computer, and your ISP went and got it for you. So, all they had to do, was record the transaction in a database. If they wanted, they could look at the words you typed in here, and tell you what you said.

Actually, I haven't gotten out my protocal snoper, and checked that out. I assume that this bulletin board isn't using any encryption. Hummm, I may have to do that later.

 

[Ex-Member]

You would need to know their MAC address, even then you don't have much of a case. Any judge is just going to slap them on the wrist and say "Don't do that again", unless they have a previous record. It's not even worth your time to investigate the matter.

Yep, MAC addr can be pinned down to a manufacturer. Anohter thing you can do, if you decide to pursue it further is to sniff out other nearby WLANs for that MAC address.

/\ /\ What Shortstop said!!!! Reguardless of what you have seen on tv, there is no way to back track an unsecured wireless connection. You will be safe now that you have security enabled. It can be hacked, but it takes too much time. Someone looking for a an unsecured wireless signal will just go elsewhere now.

Sorta... A MAC address is difficult for the average person to change, they're assigned by the manufacturer and there's only one address like it in the world.

WEP sucks, real easy to crack. WPA's the only way to go. WPA2 if all your machines support it.

Or you could get real geeky and use VPN, then forward all other requests to a site like bottleguy or tubgirl... Log the accesses for your own amusement.
I did this at my old apartment. I had one guy try for 10 minutes to get to all sorts of websites, all the router did was return goatse-like pictures