I need your advice. I live in an apartment complex where numerous people are on the internet. I just started in January with a new Toshiba laptop. My McAfee Total Protection Service shows that someone is always sending signals into every one of my USB ports on various frequencies although they are repetitive. This goes on every 2 to 5 minutes when I am connected through my server. Can these signals do damage to anything on my computer? Can they actually invade my ports or damage things like my network adapters that I always have problems with? Or am I just being paranoid and unnecessarily fearful? I am an extra class ham radio operator, and the idea of causing deliberate interference is just beyond my understanding. XXX@XXXXXX.XXX I await your answer.
Already Tried: I have at worse simply given in and abandoned the router at times. I have repaired the network adapters numerous times (disabled). I have been using a very large password XX log on, and I have installed an extra password XXX my USB port too and and a second password XX the USB area too. My real fear is they can somehow "take over" my computer by creating items in my UAC where I am logged on as administrator with full control. (I bought this toshiba laptop which was a demo.)
Hello and welcome to JustAnswer. I look forward to assisting you today with your question and providing the best answer possible.Can you tell me the exact message that Mcafee is showing you? I am refering to this "shows that someone is always sending signals into every one of my USB ports on various frequencies although they are repetitive"Please let me know so I can further assist.Thank You
OK. I understand. First, It does NOT show up an an attack which is listed. It shows up when I go to "logs and history" and at first I thought it was just for a few minutes to a half hour. But when I noticed the "prior" button on the logs I see these signals starting for hours after I am "on the air". I have resorted to switching my designation from the recommended area to the "stealth" level. I switch the computer to the lowest level, completely shut off from the internet, many times for protection. I have also switched off the "ping" switch so the would be hacker would not know when I was on. bob
What specifically does it say about the USB in the logs, can you have a look and show me the message, if not that it is ok
OK. I understand. First, It does NOT show up an an attack which is listed. It shows up when I go to "logs and history" and at first I thought it was just for a few minutes to a half hour. But when I noticed the "prior" button on the logs I see these signals starting for hours after I am "on the air". I have resorted to switching my designation from the recommended area to the "stealth" level. I switch the computer to the lowest level, completely shut off from the internet, many times for protection. I have also switched off the "ping" switch so the would be hacker would not know when I was on. bobwhen I go to the logs and look for more information, it says the signal is being sent to this port and with this kind of signal. On a day off when I was using the computer all day, these signals corresponded with my usage. They stopped a half hour after I stopped on the computer, and returned when I returned. There are a dozen persons with various names "MASTER" SLAVE" "master" "slave" are the most colorful names in this group. bob
Hi Bob, Just to clarify a bit. The computer does many things behind the scenes when you are using it, these actions are logged. Sometimes if you do not have a deep understanding of the operating system these can look suspicious.Many programs now a days send information out to the internet and getting information back for the purpose of updates for example.Without seeing your logs I cannot say for sure what you are looking at but I really doubt you are in any danger in your situation.Mcafee should keep you secure as well as windows security settings. I would assume your wireless network is password XXXXX and encrypted.If so data you transmit is not going to be easily deciphered.Not that this means it cannot happen, when there is a will there is a way and no system on the planet is 100% secure.You need to ask yourself, would your neighbors have any reason to hack your computer?Usually when people hack and break into systems they have a specific reason to do so. Breaking into a system on a shared wireless network is not a simple thing. You need to remember you have windows permission in place which believe are not are difficult to get around.If you are really concerned I have a couple of suggestions. First, do not share the network with the neighbors. Also you may want to turn off file sharing on the computer:http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprosecurity/thread/9a87b20f-15a4-4eff-b678-f228166f6d0aAlso password XXXXX your user account. Go into control panel and view the users, is the guest account enabled? If so disable it. In windows 7 there is a default administrator account, you may want that disabled as well. Just be careful to not lock yourself out, that is important.On my systems I usually create a back up administrator account just incase of an accidental log out.Here is a more in depth guide on hardening(securing) windows 7:http://www.winfrastructure.net/article.aspx?BlogEntry=Quick-steps-to-Windows-7-OS-hardeningAll of that said it is not likely from what you described that anyone is trying to get into your computer so I wouldn't worry if I was you.If you need further help please do not hesitate to reply back and let me know.Thank YouRemember, if for any reason you are unsatisfied with my answer, we can continue the conversation until you’re satisfied and Accept my answer. I can address follow up questions at no extra charge and I’m always here to help. Thank you for using JustAnswer!
Experience: Certified Software expert with over 10 years experience.
OK. I stopped sharing info since Super Bowl Sunday when I got some sort of gifts for sharing a TV interview. As for motivation, I am worried that this is a preview so that these fellows might break into my nearby apartment and steal my laptop. I have my laptop chained to a drilled hole in my desk so they would have to work to get it. I hide it. Most people in my complex of 30 units are one or two person families but there are two apartments with groups of men who are not working regularly. (Police came here l8 months ago to arrest one apartment for drug sales and use. I was awakened by a flash bomb and heard the police loudspeaker.) But I do thank you for putting this into perspective technologically. But since they have more time on their hands than I do, I fear they can somehow send signals to change minor guest accounts that could take over my administrative accounts.I would not be so concerned if I was not being a continuous target of one, two or three fellows who know I live alone, and that I go to work on swingshift. I come from back East and I leave a radio on with lights on to fool visiting would-be thieves. But potential would-be thieves who can see me leave for work concerns me. It is the continuity of the deliberate interference that concerns me.I can take pranks. Even being hassled. But this continuous interference has me worried. It rattles me. When I have problems with my network adapters, could interference be one of the causes? I do not know. I do not know what I can expect outside radio interference is contributing.
Sounds like a rough building. As far as network security goes I wouldn't worry too much about the drug dealers knowing how to break into your system, now physically getting to the computer is another story but it sounds like you have that taken care of with the chain.It the problems you are having with the network adapters are something like a weak wireless signal, then no. This is normal and can happen in a building where people are living close to each other. Many things can cause wireless signal interference such as other wireless routers, cordless phones, microwaves etc...From what you have told me it sounds like you do not have to worry about network security however if you are concerned about thieves physically stealing the laptop that is different. It may be a good idea to bring that laptop with you to work. Another options is look into a solution like this, in the event your laptop ever was stolen you could find it and wipe the data remotely.http://store.lojackforlaptops.com/store/absolute/en_US/html/pbPage.lojacktest3/ThemeID.9835600?resid=T5tIhQoBAlgAAGj2UowAAAAO&rests=1335576709512Again I wouldn't worry about your network security it sounds like it is under control and if you wish to secure it more just so you can rest better, follow that guide I posted earlier.Thank YouRemember, if for any reason you are unsatisfied with my answer, we can continue the conversation until you’re satisfied and Accept my answer. I can address follow up questions at no extra charge and I’m always here to help. Thank you for using JustAnswer!