[2bdcided]

I was home alone today, walked by my computer & there in the the printer tray was a porn pic. How could this happen? I had the computer on the internet, but on the Adobe website. Could someone remotely access my computer? I do have another computer in the house & they are networked together wireless. One operates on XP, the laptop is VISTA (it was off at the time). It is upsetting because one of my kids could have spotted it first & I do not want it to happen again. Any thoughts. Thanks. Also, I run TrendPC on both computers & thought I went through correct security steps when setting up wireless? What could have happened?

Edited by 2bdcided, 08 October 2007 - 05:31 PM.

[Advertisements]

Hi 2bdcided, welcome to Geeks to Go!

This does sound like an interesting problem, and definitely one that would make you stop and think... First thing I would do is ask around the family if anyone has been printing anything lately.

Nevertheless, we can have a quick check - you say the computers are networked together, does this mean that File and Printer Sharing is turned on, and is this printer set to be shared? You can check this by opening your Printers and Faxes window from Start > Settings, and if it's shared there should be a little hand picture on the printer icon.

Cheers

[Troy]

Hi 2bdcided, welcome to Geeks to Go!

This does sound like an interesting problem, and definitely one that would make you stop and think... First thing I would do is ask around the family if anyone has been printing anything lately.

Nevertheless, we can have a quick check - you say the computers are networked together, does this mean that File and Printer Sharing is turned on, and is this printer set to be shared? You can check this by opening your Printers and Faxes window from Start > Settings, and if it's shared there should be a little hand picture on the printer icon.

Cheers

[2bdcided]

No ...asked the fam & no question about it no one printed. Yes, there is a hand over printer icon. thanks.

[Troy]

If you only print from the one computer, then you can stop sharing the printer. If you like to print from both computers, however, then leave it to "shared" and we'll take a look at your networking settings.

What wireless router do you have? Have you worked through the manual and secured the wireless network? This is not done with Trend Micro (I'm assuming "TrendPC" is the Trend Micro Internet Security? Please advise), this is done by accessing your router (usually through a web browser, like Firefox or Internet Explorer) and configuring it properly. If you have never done this, then it may very well be an unsecured network to which anybody can connect. There should be a full list of instructions on how to secure your wireless network in the manual, if not let us know and we'll work through it together.

Remote access is available through the "Remote Assistance" feature, to turn it off in Windows XP, take the following steps:

Starting from the Desktop, right-click My Computer, select Properties, select the Remote tab. Uncheck the box that says "Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer" and then click Apply.

Please advise in your reply:
1) Any programs you have for anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall.
2) If you have ever configured your wireless router settings.
3) What make and model of your wireless router.
4) Any comments you wish to make, or information you feel may be relevant.

You'll be pleased to know computer security is one of the main features at this forum, so we'll get it setup right for you!

[2bdcided]

1. trend Micro 2. Yes, I did configure my router...I thought? 3. Belkin wireless G Router model# F507239-4 . When I go to 192.168.2.1 it says "security enabled" WPA-PSK I Know just enought about computers to be dangerous Thanks for your help. I do have a very computer-savy neighbor of questionable character?????

[Troy]

Okay thanks for your reply, but I'm going to ask - can you please expand on your answers?

1) Trend Micro (Anti-virus? Internet Security? They have a number of products - please give me exactly what you have and if it's up-to-date)
2) You thought? Networking can be confusing and tricky at times. Don't worry, we'll double-check this...
3) I cannot find information on that router, can you please give me a direct weblink to the router's page on the Belkin website?
4) It's possible your neighbour has been attempting to hack your network, or something else, so it's important we double-check this out.

[2bdcided]

1. Trend PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 (yes, it is up to date) 3. http://web.belkin.co...b/kb.asp?a=2806 Thank you.

Edited by 2bdcided, 14 October 2007 - 02:38 PM.

[Troy]

Okay here's my suggestions to configure your router, according to the manual I have found here:

1) Make sure the firmware has been updated to the latest available. See here for the downloads, and here for the how-to.

2) On page 40 of the manual (Using the Web-Based Advanced User Interface), once you type in the address into your browser, do you need to enter a username and password here? I get the impression you don't, which is poor security design by Belkin.

3) Have a look at the Viewing the DHCP Client List Page on page 43. If any other computers are connected, they will be shown here. You should see two (one for each of your computers - unless one is switched off), any others mean someone else is connected.

4) Page 44 - Change the SSID to something different, for example "GOAWAY"

5) Page 48 onwards - read through an set up your security. You have mentioned using WPA-PSK - this is good. Change the password to something different.

6) Page 47 - Disable the Broadcast SSID function once you are sure only your computers are connected.

Let me know how you go.

[2bdcided]

Hey Thank you! thank you! I went through all the steps mentioned (my SSID definitely leaves a butt out message ) It is secure now. I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks.

[Troy]

Glad we could be of service! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!