Being monitored!

[Senteaf]

Last time I asked for a program to monitor internet activity to make sure I was not being monitored.

Well, I did not find any outgoing connection for a log.

I have a few questions:
1. Is there a more efficient way to check for being monitored?
2. I have a router, so I am connected to my ISP through it, is it possible for a program to monitor connections that are sent and received through the router?

for example, I install a program, and it covertly scans and logs my internet connections and then sends it to a recipient, or source.

 

[LiquidSnak]

You can always be monitored. Not only is it unlikely that your computer itself has a program on it that monitors you, unless you are a minor with restrictions on their internet, the government, your ISP, and all the other powers that be will be monitoring you from either your router, your modem, or as the authority goes higher, they will just monitor data streams and sort them by IP address.

 

[Solarstarshines]

You can always be monitored. Not only is it unlikely that your computer itself has a program on it that monitors you, unless you are a minor with restrictions on their internet, the government, your ISP, and all the other powers that be will be monitoring you from either your router, your modem, or as the authority goes higher, they will just monitor data streams and sort them by IP address.

unless you have a Ip scrambler there will be on to you allways

The government knows what we do just waiting for one of us to go to far with what we are doing then that is when the action starts

 

[Senteaf]

I am not talking about government or ISP.

I gave you an example of a program that scans and logs your internet activity, and then sends it to the source.
And it could be your friend, or family member etc.

You are connected to the internet through the ISP, so of course you can't prevent them from watching your activity...
But what about someone who is on the same network, or on another network, how can they track you?

What are the possible means?
is it possible to do so outside the network you want to monitor?
does the intruder need to have a program on the "victim's" computer in order to monitor the victim's network activity?

 

[Solarstarshines]

I think that has something to do with file sharing if you turn that feature off they can't interact with you drives that would be the only way they can get access

If you are on a major network where everyone has it turned on then your in for more of a job

Im sure if file sharing isnt turned on people cant really do anything just be online and that's it

Im sure someone with a little more knowledge of this can bring some light to this situation

 

[Senteaf]

Okay I will wait for someone with more knowledge!

I was not talking about file sharing, but about general network activity.
I just wanted to know how someone can monitor my network activity.

 

[brady]

If there are other users on the network, they can potentially run a program that will capture ALL traffic on ANY port. They can run this from their own computer, thus your search for it will come up short.

Chatter traffic can be monitored and analyzed through several methods, you'll need to be more specific if you want us to be... more specific.

 

[Senteaf]

If there are other users on the network, they can potentially run a program that will capture ALL traffic on ANY port. They can run this from their own computer, thus your search for it will come up short.

Chatter traffic can be monitored and analyzed through several methods, you'll need to be more specific if you want us to be... more specific.

Okay.

1. Can someone outside my own network(router/LAN?) monitor my activity if I have any security on, and he does not have any program(called a client?) on my computer?

2. like 1, is it possible that a program I install(or any code that somehow got into computer) will be able to covertly scan and log my internet connections and then send it to the intruder?

Thank you. I am going to use networking programs, and a few people may need to use my network for some time soon, so I want to be sure I am ready for any intruders.

 

[brady]

1: If you're running a wireless network, Yes. They can potentially see and analyze your traffic.
2: Yes, if done properly. (you can monitor your outgoing TCP connections and determine if someone is doing so)

 

[Senteaf]

1: If you're running a wireless network, Yes. They can potentially see and analyze your traffic.
2: Yes, if done properly. (you can monitor your outgoing TCP connections and determine if someone is doing so)

1. Okay, wireless network is router, right?
so what, it means that someone who is not in the same network can monitor me?
Even if I enabled security and he does not have access to/inside my computer?

How can he do this?

 

[brady]

Wireless network runs through a "wireless" router. If you're plugged into the router via ethernet cable, then you're not wireless.

Even with 'secured' wireless traffic, you can still capture the data between points. This data can then be analyzed and decrypted to some extent.

 

[WebMattR]

so what, it means that someone who is not in the same network can monitor me?
Even if I enabled security and he does not have access to/inside my computer?

How can he do this?

Basically he can sit, pick up packets that travel across the wireless network, and, with enough packets, crack your security key. There isn't a way to prevent this, except not using wireless.

Honestly, I'd say that you really needn't worry about security much, unless you're a company that has Intellectual Property to preserve. Most hackers go after corporations, rather than individuals, and the hackers that are going to pursue individuals will be attacking from the 'outside' (i.e: coming in through your router). Really, unless the neighbor boy wants to torrent and not be noticed, you should be fine.

 

[Dellius]

Last time I asked for a program to monitor internet activity to make sure I was not being monitored.

Well, I did not find any outgoing connection for a log.

I have a few questions:
1. Is there a more efficient way to check for being monitored?
2. I have a router, so I am connected to my ISP through it, is it possible for a program to monitor connections that are sent and received through the router?

for example, I install a program, and it covertly scans and logs my internet connections and then sends it to a recipient, or source.

Now, as far as I know, there are completely silent passive packet sniffers, which can totally intercept any packets inbound and outbound, and you will never know about it, especially if the government or your ISP are involved.

There is only one way to make sure your communications are secure and it's called VPN. Google some VPN providers and they should solve your problem. They are cheap, fast and reliable, so instead of going on a hunt for something you can't be ever 100% certain about, just secure yourself and sleep tight.

 

[Senteaf]

Wireless network runs through a "wireless" router. If you're plugged into the router via ethernet cable, then you're not wireless.


Even with 'secured' wireless traffic, you can still capture the data between points. This data can then be analyzed and decrypted to some extent.

I use my ethernet cable when I want to sit near the router, but most of the time I am in the upper floor.
But I can still be tracked if I use cable, after it sends signals out right?

so what, it means that someone who is not in the same network can monitor me?
Even if I enabled security and he does not have access to/inside my computer?

How can he do this?

Basically he can sit, pick up packets that travel across the wireless network, and, with enough packets, crack your security key. There isn't a way to prevent this, except not using wireless.

Honestly, I'd say that you really needn't worry about security much, unless you're a company that has Intellectual Property to preserve. Most hackers go after corporations, rather than individuals, and the hackers that are going to pursue individuals will be attacking from the 'outside' (i.e: coming in through your router). Really, unless the neighbor boy wants to torrent and not be noticed, you should be fine.

What are the other internet connections options which can not be tracked?
I know I should not worry, but still, I don't want people I know to track or monitor me.

Last time I asked for a program to monitor internet activity to make sure I was not being monitored.

Well, I did not find any outgoing connection for a log.

I have a few questions:
1. Is there a more efficient way to check for being monitored?
2. I have a router, so I am connected to my ISP through it, is it possible for a program to monitor connections that are sent and received through the router?

for example, I install a program, and it covertly scans and logs my internet connections and then sends it to a recipient, or source.

Now, as far as I know, there are completely silent passive packet sniffers, which can totally intercept any packets inbound and outbound, and you will never know about it, especially if the government or your ISP are involved.

There is only one way to make sure your communications are secure and it's called VPN. Google some VPN providers and they should solve your problem. They are cheap, fast and reliable, so instead of going on a hunt for something you can't be ever 100% certain about, just secure yourself and sleep tight.

But I think the packet sniffers you are talking about are used inside the network you want to monitor. So it means only if they have the password they can sniff you.

I will look into google VPN

 

[Britton30]

To answer your question. Yes you can be monitored. A program could have a keylogger embedded in it (Trojan) or could download a "bot" which would allow the author complete access to your PC, wired or wireless. It could also at timed intervals, or when asked to, send info somewhere else. These can and do use similar or the same name as valid Windows services. Many trojans have the name of svchost.exe, which Windows runs many of.
A rootkit placed on your PC can do the same thing without being detected, but security software is getting better at this.

If you are using a wired connection, use software which stealths all of your ports and they won't be visible to a drive-by web crawler or spider. Enable your router's firewall. On wireless use the best encryption protocol, I don't remember which it is, WEP, maybe.

You can use an anonymous proxy server too so if someone searched for you, it may appear you are in, say, Adelaide AU when you are not.

Don't allow people access your PC if you think they might monitor your activities.

Basically though someone would have to go to some effort to monitor another's PC. The casual (and friendly) user generally can't/won't do this type of illegal activity.