How to find out if router/laptop is accessed?

Hi, not sure where this question should be as it’s a very odd one?

To make a long story short, I sell merchandise of a specific sort. Two years ago I received threats from a particular person, who also sells. From that day I have now and then received threats from him, and a few others whom I believe is associated to him. The last two months very peculiar incidents have happened, customers have approached me wanting to buy, and then suddenly disappear to never be heard from again. My suspicion is this person has access to my computer somehow, and scare away the customers. Trust me, I have good reason to believe this so it’s not farfetched, other sellers have had very unpleasant experiences from this guy.

So my question is: I use a Dovado router, with Sierra modem. My laptop is Sony Vaio FW41. Is it possible for him to access my laptop, AND if so, how can I reveal it so I know for sure? This is about one single person accessing, not the multispams etc you hear about in media.

Best regards,
Linda

 

It appears you have wireless broadband to a capable router.

I don't know anything about the wireless broadband security.

The router firewall should be securing your internal LAN/WLAN from external attacks. The router wireless encryption should be securing your WLAN, if setup properly.

That leaves:
o snooping software you may have inadvertantly installed on your notebook.
o hacked online accounts such as e-mail.
o physical access to your notebook.

Talk to your customers first to see if your suspicion is valid.

GK

 

Judging from what some customers have told me, using the exact same phrases he has used, I think my suspicion is very valid.

My email account is not online, and physical access is impossible, so that leaves snopping software... how does that happen, if I click on something online by mistake?

The router, how should it be setup for best security? (Note: I'm a technical idiot!)

 

If your e-mail account is hosted somewhere on the Internet, then it is online, even if you do not use a browser/webmail to access it.

Snooping software would be a rogue program running on your computer, designed to monitor your activity and report it to remote location. I have no knowledge of this type of software other than having read that it exists. If you practice safe computing, your computer is probably secure.

The router firewall should be operating by default. You can test it using the ShieldsUps! online test(s) (scan ports) at Home of Gibson Research Corporation.

If you are using WiFi to connect to your router (from your Sony notebook), you should confirm that your wireless network (WLAN) is secured. The router wireless should be using WPA2 AES encryption. And, once setup, there is no need to broadcast the SSID... the name of your WLAN... being invisible is better than being visible.

If your WLAN is not secured, then anyone within range can connect and browse your LAN, see any shared resources.

You may want to get a techie onsite to review your situation and resolve any security oversights.

GK

 

It sounds like you have enough to got the authorities and get a judgement. They have experts to help check your system out.

May want to shred your mail too.

As far as your hardware, I would change your passwords. On your router change your admin password, make sure remote admin is turned off. As for wire less security I recommend using at least 20 all printable chr for the WPA2-AES password. I normally go to Home of Gibson Research Corporation and use their free password generator. Just copy and paste the keys. Always do admin work on routers using a wired connection. Some routers to mini boots and will knock you off a wireless.

I know there are programs out there to do that kind of snooping. There are special programs that can detect root kits. Most of the better AV/FW Internet Security do this. Make sure your not going through a proxy server. If you are they can gain access to all traffic.

You can always do a Low level format and do a clean install. You just will need to be careful on what programs you install.

 

You might look around at hiring a security expert. It sounds like your problems are a little bit more emergent than an internet message board can handle well.