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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-23T10:02:37+00:00

    I'm hoping its that simple.

    steve

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  2. 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.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-08-22T22:21:35+00:00

    This is fascinating.  I wish I had the problem so I could figure it out.  You might check Device manager and Event Viewer just for the heck of it to see if there is anything there.  And go to Services and see if there is a non-MS service that looks weird that is set for automatic.  You might also boot to Safe Mode and see if the networking there is the same.

    steve

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-08-22T16:48:55+00:00

    Your message of August 17th indicated or suggested that the rogue router was interposed between devices.  The poster in the other thread (and perhaps Martin) seemed to have the device in a parallel configuration (although the network map was not shown).  So what does the network map show for each of you?  (what Gordon suggested).  If its a parallel device, then its not likely to be hogging bandwidth or connected.  But if its interposed, its something different entirely.  It could be the router got hacked even (see for instance these as examples:  http://tidystorm.com/423/the-redirect-virus-was-in-my-router/ ;   http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Web+Search/thread?tid=6df7e15519290612&hl=en&start=440).  So its important to tell if its a parallel or serial configuration in the network map.

    This is really baffling.  I haven't found anything like by searching except for what Gordon referenced.  It could be nothing, or "who knows?"

    steve

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