What is going on? Can this person hack me?

help7777777 · 26 Sep 2012

So, my wifi router has been hacked into, and someone is leeching off my connection. I try to catch him and pull the plug on him when I can, but that strange notebook still keeps appearing in the network.

My trouble isn't with someone using my connection as such but with my files. File and printer sharing is turned off, and so is media, but new media devices keep appearing and disappearing. Like right now, something called HP HP HP ??? Nothing is connected to my computer and Windows Media Player is off. Also, that computer keeps coming and going, is there a chance he can hack my computer even though file sharing is off?

bassfisher6522 · 26 Sep 2012

First things first; lets make sure your routers security is setup and active. This is the first line of defense. Change the default user name and password. Make them something unique and hard. Then turn off the SSID broadcast...if unseen no one will even look for you.

How to Disable Service Set Identifier (SSID) Broadcasting on Your Wireless Router

Router Setup and Configuration Guide - Setup a Router

This will lock all access to your wireless network, except for those who you allow to have access to your wireless connectivity.

help7777777 · 26 Sep 2012

Yeah, that won't happen. The password has already been changed, and by the person that hacked into the router. So making myself invisible is a moot point.

I asked about whether my COMPUTER could get hacked and what I could do to prevent it. And what the f is HP HP HP.

Dwarf · 26 Sep 2012

If someone can get access to your Internet connection through an insecure router, then I suppose that it is possible for them to access your computer (and possibly others on your network, if any).

I suggest the following measures (you might need to temporarily connect via an ethernet cable whilst you make settings adjustments on your router): Firstly, change your SSID and set it to not-broadcastable. Secondly, choose the highest level of security available (WPA2-PSK) and create a secure password. I use the 63 random printable ASCII characters: from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm. You will need to enter both the SSID and this password on all devices that you wish to connect to your router. Thirdly, all computers have a MAC code, so you should enable MAC filtering on your router so that only authorised devices can connect. See MAC Address - Locate and Find for Your Computer Note that some devices, such as printers, may have this information on a label affixed somewhere on the case - see the manual for its location. Fourthly, change the router's login name and password from its default to something else. Make sure that you know what they are for future reference, as the only way to access the router if you forget them is to reset it to factory defaults.

help7777777 · 26 Sep 2012

I can't access my router configuration. I've already had a technician over, and he put the wifi range down to a minimum, but someone in the building is still close enough to get access.

All I'm worried about is preventing the hacking into my computer. File and printer sharing is turned off, and so is media broadcasting.

Please stop giving me router advice, I have no access and a specialist has already confirmed there isn't anything I can do about that short of buying a new one.

And again, WHAT IS HP HP HP and why is it in my media devices?

Dwarf · 26 Sep 2012

What is the make and model number of the router? It sounds as though the login name and/or password have been changed from their defaults.

Thorsen · 26 Sep 2012

how to reset linksys routers:

how to reset netgear routers (this also tells how to setup new password):

After you reset it, you will need to set up a new security and password so that this a-hole won't change it to another pass. I am suprised that the tech didn't try to reset the device.

Edit: I think you can access the router and setup a password without it actually being connected to the internet. You might need to make a wired connection to the router to set up WPA (if you aren't on it already)

How to setup linksys password:

good luck hope this helps

Here's another one for netgear as well: