How do you know if someone is using your wi-fi router?

Hi group:

I've been using my NetGear WiFi WRG614v4 router now for a couple years
and I've never set up any WEP or WPA encription.

Yesterday evening (Monday, Aug 21, 2006), I experienced an odd
situation.

I noticed that my NetPerSec Icon in the Notification Area indicated
that an unknown Internet signal was downloading into my Compaq R4000
laptop.

I check Task Manager and under the Processes Tab, it indicated that
most of the processes were inactive except the System Idle Process.

Still this signal was coming into my PC and I didn't know what it was.

I then visited the NetGear website for setting up the router and it was
there that I was able to see that a outside computer was logged into my
router.

Fearing that that computer may have been sending my computer some
unrequested software, etc,, I turned off the power on the router.

This, of course, stopped the incoming Internet signal.

I now have set up WPA encription on my router and I suspect that this
will stop most third-party users from using my Wi-Fi router.

Is there a software utility program (besides visiting the NetGear
website) that will tell me if a third-party is using my router,
encription or not?

I look forward to your comments.

Regards,
Al Gershen
Grants Pass, OR
(E-Mail Removed)

On 22 Aug 2006 09:24:03 -0700, "gassyal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>I now have set up WPA encription on my router and I suspect that this
>will stop most third-party users from using my Wi-Fi router.

WPA with a strong passphrase _will_ stop anyone from using your
wireless.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

gassyal wrote:
> Hi group:
>
> I've been using my NetGear WiFi WRG614v4 router now for a couple years
> and I've never set up any WEP or WPA encription.
>
> Yesterday evening (Monday, Aug 21, 2006), I experienced an odd
> situation.
>
> I noticed that my NetPerSec Icon in the Notification Area indicated
> that an unknown Internet signal was downloading into my Compaq R4000
> laptop.
>
> I check Task Manager and under the Processes Tab, it indicated that
> most of the processes were inactive except the System Idle Process.
>
> Still this signal was coming into my PC and I didn't know what it was.
>
> I then visited the NetGear website for setting up the router and it was
> there that I was able to see that a outside computer was logged into my
> router.
>
> Fearing that that computer may have been sending my computer some
> unrequested software, etc,, I turned off the power on the router.
>
> This, of course, stopped the incoming Internet signal.
>
> I now have set up WPA encription on my router and I suspect that this
> will stop most third-party users from using my Wi-Fi router.
>
> Is there a software utility program (besides visiting the NetGear
> website) that will tell me if a third-party is using my router,
> encription or not?
>
> I look forward to your comments.
>
> Regards,
> Al Gershen
> Grants Pass, OR
> (E-Mail Removed)

It would seem that you have solved your problem, with wpa encryption,
it might be a good idea to scan your computer for spyware, and viri.
Some routers allow logs, and this might be one of the options. But
since you enabled wpa this will probably only show your network.

You could also use third party software, to report any phone home type
of activites, after all you would not want your computer to be part of
a bot net, or spam ring. But since you looked at your system processes
you should be fine.

Rthoreau

"gassyal" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
> Hi group:
>
> I've been using my NetGear WiFi WRG614v4 router now for a couple years
> and I've never set up any WEP or WPA encription.
>
> Yesterday evening (Monday, Aug 21, 2006), I experienced an odd
> situation.
>
> I noticed that my NetPerSec Icon in the Notification Area indicated
> that an unknown Internet signal was downloading into my Compaq R4000
> laptop.
>
> I check Task Manager and under the Processes Tab, it indicated that
> most of the processes were inactive except the System Idle Process.
>
> Still this signal was coming into my PC and I didn't know what it was.
>
> I then visited the NetGear website for setting up the router and it was
> there that I was able to see that a outside computer was logged into my
> router.
>
> Fearing that that computer may have been sending my computer some
> unrequested software, etc,, I turned off the power on the router.
>
> This, of course, stopped the incoming Internet signal.
>
> I now have set up WPA encription on my router and I suspect that this
> will stop most third-party users from using my Wi-Fi router.
>
> Is there a software utility program (besides visiting the NetGear
> website) that will tell me if a third-party is using my router,
> encription or not?
>
> I look forward to your comments.
>
> Regards,
> Al Gershen
> Grants Pass, OR
> (E-Mail Removed)

You already have some tools that you could've used.

If someone was connecting through your router, NetPerSec wouldn't show any
activity unless they were also playing with your computer.

When NetPerSec started looking suspicious, you could've just opened a dos
box and done a quick and dirty 'netstat -a' to see what was actually going
on. It could've just been something beneign like an auto-update, or someone
playing around -- locally connected or from WAN.

If you saw a suspcious local activity above, then check your router's logs
for suspicious connections.

It was more than likely something beneign, but enabling your WPA should calm
your paranoia. The only reason any home network should be unencrypted, (or
non-VPN'd), is if you want to share your pipe -- and even then, you should
have a captive portal out in front.

Have fun,
Eric