network security question

[junjun]

I have heard that if one of the computer on the home network is infected there is a chance that the rest of the computer conected to the network might also be infected. However, I don't exactly understand how that might happen. Could someone explain how that might happen? Because all I know is that people on the same network can access your documents and file if you do not set up your security properly but I don't know how they can infect each other.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I have heard that if one of the computer on the home network is infected there is a chance that the rest of the computer conected to the network might also be infected. However, I don't exactly understand how that might happen. Could someone explain how that might happen? Because all I know is that people on the same network can access your documents and file if you do not set up your security properly but I don't know how they can infect each other.

If they can change a file, then you open that file, you could get infected.

But that is not the most efficient way to infect other computers on a network. The infected computer looks for security flaws on other computers and uses those to gain access. The access might let them run their infected app on the remote computer.

Look at the description of some critical Windows Updates; they state this:

This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system remotely.

Some say that there are 100s of these flaws that have not been patched. They are known to those writing/selling exploit kits (software that helps write malware). They don't release/sell all of the exploits at once - because then MS could fix them all at once.

 

[LMiller7]

There are a large number of ways that malicious software could spread throughout a network. The details are too complex to cover in a forum post and would be useful to those with malicious intent, and not permitted by forum rules. Never underestimate the capabilities of malicious software. The authors of such software know far, far, more about computer security than you or I.

 

[junjun]

When connected to a public network and you set up the connection as public would that help in protecting the computer (can the public setting be changed or is it fixed?)

If so then what about Android and iPhone? they don't have public settingfor network though.

 

[UsernameIssues]

You can read about some of the differences between Public/Work/Private networks:
Choosing a network location - Microsoft Windows Help

I'll let other speak to your question about phones.

 

[junjun]

What are the common type of attack? Is there ways to spot it?

 

[UsernameIssues]

What are the common type of attack? Is there ways to spot it?

I'm not sure how one goes about detecting these common attacks:
Common Types of Network Attacks

 

[junjun]

Is it possible for an infected device to be connected to the network without you knowing or do you have to connect to the network inorder for it to acess the network?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Is it possible for an infected device to be connected to the network without you knowing or do you have to connect [it*] to the network in order for it to access the network?

An infected device can be connected to the network without you knowing it...

*it = the infected device
Someone has to connect the infected device to the network before that device can infect other devices; but that someone might not be you. Or, the infected device can be programmed by someone to attempt to join a network in an unattended mode (e.g no human has to babysit the process of connecting to or breaking into a network).

 

[junjun]

All network requires a security key before you can enter right?

Because whenever the wifi is turn on you will be able to choose which network to connect to, if you accidentally press a wrong network will you be able to connect to it? is it possible for someone to disable the security key hence allowing everyone to connect to it. This is a big worry because some people especially old people with bad eye sight might accidentally press and connect to a wrong network without realising it.

 

[Layback Bear]

junjun it sound like you are going down a list of question on a homeword assignment.
What courses are you taking?

To put it simple.
Anything that is infected when hooked to a computer, network, domain can infect all if the infection is created/programed correctly.

 

[junjun]

I am not on any assignment merely wanted to learn more about network security for better protection. I am often helping my relative on computer matters so I thought it better to learn and set up properly for them. Btw I study on making of 3d animation.

As for my previous question which I will write again below for easy reference, it is not about infected computer, this is about a normal not infected computer.

All network requires a security key before you can enter right?

Because whenever the wifi is turn on you will be able to choose which network to connect to, if you accidentally press a wrong network will you be able to connect to it? is it possible for someone to disable the security key hence allowing everyone to connect to it. This is a big worry because some people especially old people with bad eye sight might accidentally press and connect to a wrong network without realising it.

 

[Layback Bear]

In my opinion all the security key in the world might not help once a system is infected. Once a infection has entered a system it could steal the security keys and continue on it nasty job.
You will never get all the possibilities of what might happen, could happen, won't happen on a forum. Their are volumes of books wrote on the subject.

 

[UsernameIssues]

All network requires a security key before you can enter right?

Because whenever the wifi is turn on you will be able to choose which network to connect to, if you accidentally press a wrong network will you be able to connect to it? is it possible for someone to disable the security key hence allowing everyone to connect to it. This is a big worry because some people especially old people with bad eye sight might accidentally press and connect to a wrong network without realizing it.

No... because not all networks are wireless. An infected computer can join a wired network (think about a school network) and start the process of breaking into (and infecting) other computers.

If you want to talk about wireless networks (as found in most homes), the key can be determined (without an Amazon E2 rental) in about 10 minutes - no human interaction required.

Security is just an illusion.

 

[LMiller7]

All network requires a security key before you can enter right?

No.

It is recommended procedure to configure appropriate security and set a password on a wireless access point. Unfortunately, this is not always done. Anyone within range could access such a network.

 

[junjun]

In other words it is possible to enter another person network by accident without realising it? Since as no security key is needed.

will you be prompted to select the type of network(home/public/work etc.) everytime you connect to a new network? To at least let the user know that they have click and tried to connect to a different network than usual.

 

[UsernameIssues]

In other words it is possible to enter another person network by accident without realising it? Since as no security key is needed.

will you be prompted to select the type of network(home/public/work etc.) every time you connect to a new network? To at least let the user know that they have click and tried to connect to a different network than usual.

Yes - it is possible to connect to the wrong wireless network without knowing it. If a 3rd party app controls the connection, it may be possible to make the connection to the strongest signal without any human involved.

When you pick a network type (home/work/public), there is an option to automatically make the same choice for all future connections. I've never selected that option, so I cannot tell you if the user sees anything when new networks are joined or not.

 

[junjun]

All connected network will be listed under the manage wireless connection right?

 

[UsernameIssues]

I would think so - but I don't have a computer to double check that. I usually don't keep 3rd party tools installed for wireless connection management.

 

[junjun]

I was checking the network and internet setting for someone when I spotted something I have never seen before in the network adapter. It's call 'microsoft virtual miniport adapter'. I did some research and it seems like a virtual network to allow others to connect to the network through the PC. Making it work like a hotspot.

I have immediately disabled it and am wondering whether disabling itit alone is sufficent to protect it from being use by other people? The user of the PC is someone who isn't very tech savy, so I am wondering is there a need for me to set even more things for her or is disabling the Microsoft virtual miniport adapter sufficent enough.

When I say disable it I mean through the network adapter where I right click it and click disabled NOT through the command prompt. Btw I don't think it's been properly set up since as under the sharing tab the allow others to connect is not tick.