Neighbor keeps inserting his wireless router into my network infrastructure?

Anonymous
2011-08-10T13:09:02+00:00

neighbor keeps adding his router to my network infrastructure. Not sure how this is happening. Have deleted network profile and re installed with just my router, added/changed passwords, and within a few days here is this other router listed in addition to mine as part of the network infrastructure again. How do I prevent this? How much of a security risk is this vs. just really annoying? I have cable internet, and a Linkseys modem and wireless router.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-08-17T15:29:17+00:00

If someone hacked into your router, they could well have hacked into your computer also and you may have something running in your computer that is doing this.  Its very hard to diagnose over this forum.  But if you are losing bandwidth, it suggests hacking.  And that is illegal and it might be used for illegal purposes, so if you knew it was someone hacking, you can contact local law enforcement, as it is more than someone accessing your internet capability (such as might be the case if you had an unsecured network).  This is robbery by tampering with your system, so that is clearly not kosher.  They could also be using your bandwidth for illegal purposes and the cops would come after you, as its your account.

I would scan your systems for malware and viruses.  Then also go to Start | Run and type msconfig and see what programs are running at startup and its possible there is a program that is resetting the "Belkin thing" or is opening a back door to your system.  For diagnostic purposes you might also try turning off the wireless features completely and just running the router hard-wired and then see if you get the "Belkin thing" coming back in. 

Its likely someone very close to you as the wireless signal doesn't transmit over the entire neighborhood.  It could even be someone in their vehicle out on the street.  If you are friendly with the neighbors, you can ask them.  Otherwise I'd ask law enforcement for their advice.

steve

Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

42 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-23T10:02:37+00:00

    I'm hoping its that simple.

    steve

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-08-23T07:59:17+00:00

     My guess here is maybe the networks are conflicting because they are using the same channel (hence the bandwidth drop),

     

    Now why didn't I think of that? We have two wireless routers in our house (we have two different broadband services on two separate phone lines) and when the second one was installed (my connection) I deliberately set it to a different channel to the default in order not to conflict before I used it

    The result is that although I see the other router in available connections, it does NOT appear in my Network centre......

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-08-23T01:43:02+00:00

    You may be right, the radio type for both is 802.11n, the channel the Belkin is using is 1 and I've changed the netgear to default to something other than that channel.  Unless the Belkin channel swaps that's all i can do right now.  I will monitor to see if there are any drops after the change.  Still trying to work through all of the processes just in case there are any out of the norm.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-08-22T23:05:49+00:00

    I've got a complicated test you can do to check if something is interposed, but try this as a simple test.  Log on to the router and change the channel that it is using for the wireless.  My guess here is maybe the networks are conflicting because they are using the same channel (hence the bandwidth drop), although they are not really connected.  Again, its a guess, but just about anything is at this point.

    steve

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments