Any way to see if others are looking into your computer?

[Virra]

Hello,

I was just wondering if there were any ways of figuring out if other people are looking into your computer--data, information, etc. I'm not the most computer-savvy of people but I'm not a very open person and prefer to keep my privacy. The problem is, I don't know how to go about in ensuring that while not really understanding a lot of details behind how computers function.

 

Let's say, for example, does sharing a wifi router with others open up any possibility for "snooping?"

Something like that; it seems very trivial but this is a serious question as I'm curious and would like to learn more about how these kinds of things work. Information and insight from an expert would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much in advance.

[David H. Lipman]

Hello,

I was just wondering if there were any ways of figuring out if other people are looking into your computer--data, information, etc. I'm not the most computer-savvy of people but I'm not a very open person and prefer to keep my privacy. The problem is, I don't know how to go about in ensuring that while not really understanding a lot of details behind how computers function.

 

Let's say, for example, does sharing a wifi router with others open up any possibility for "snooping?"

Something like that; it seems very trivial but this is a serious question as I'm curious and would like to learn more about how these kinds of things work. Information and insight from an expert would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much in advance.

 

Yes, it can. 

 

Anybody who has access to the LAN side of a Router has a greater propensity of access to data on another computer on the LAN than that of those whose POV are from the Internet.  One can limit the computer's "exposure" by disabling sharing of data.  This is done in the "Network and Sharing Center" in Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. (Specifically disabling File Sharing, Printer Sharing and Public Folder sharing). In Windows 7 and Windows 8 this can be done by indicating that the PC is on a "Public Network".  If the setting is for "Home Network" or "Work Network" these sharing constructs are enabled.  In any of these cases, one can manually enable or disable "sharing".  However if one sets the PC to "Public Network" this setting disables all sharing without getting into specific sub-settings.

 

HTH

[Virra]

Wow!! Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'll keep that in mind.

 

Also, if I may ask out of curiosity, what exactly could other people have had access to if the wifi was on a home setting before? And even if it's on a public network setting now, that doesn't really solve everything, correct?

[David H. Lipman]

I am sorry if I confused you.
 
The setting is on the computer, not the WiFi Router.  The WiFi Router allows up to 253 computers (devices or appliances) to share the one Internet connection you get from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).  The WiFi Router sits on a virtual fence.  One side of that virtual fence is the Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN).  Your ISP provides you with one WAN (Internet) address.  The other side of that virtual fence is the Local Area Network (LAN).  That LAN can have up to 253 possible "hosts" (computers, smart phone, tablets, devices and/or appliances). 
 
You are worried about snooping of data on a computer which resides on the LAN side of said virtual fence.  It is the OTHER hosts on the LAN (computers, smart phone, tablets, devices and/or appliances) that have the propensity to "snoop" your data.  That data can be as simple as what your "favorite web sites" are to your music, pictures, homework, your resume, finances, etc.  Whatever data you personally process or store on your computer.  Reducing the sharing reduces the level of possible "snooping".
 

And even if it's on a public network setting now, that doesn't really solve everything, correct?

 

It greatly minimizes exposure and thus the propensity of "snooping".

[Virra]

Hahaha no no I meant that I changed the network setting on the computer for this specific wi-fi router to the "public" setting. Sorry for any confusions.

 

Thank you so much, you have made things very clear.

Have a great day.

[David H. Lipman]

YW