SV6 + homeplugs + unsecured internet = trouble!

[SusieWinwood]

Morning all

We discovered last night that some kind person has been using our unsecured net access and we have ended up with a trojan horse virus. DH did a scan and all nasties are now removed.

I thought that we couldn't secure the net due to using homeplugs to access it for the SV6 box. Is this true or can we secure it and if so how?

TIA

Susie

[gimp]

Correct me if i am wrong but the viruses are on your computer which has nothing to do with the boxes.... you need antivirus on the computwer enabled the home plug is connected to the router so that should not make a difference.

who is your internet supplier?

[reiss]

Nothing to do with your box.
Most home plugs encrypt data anyway.

Download a good anti virus. AVG Free is popular or MS Security essentials, both are free.

Make sure it's up to date and do a FULL scan.
Don't forget to allow your anti virus to auto update it's self.
Make sure your home network is password protected. I also use MAC address filtering to ensure only the devices I use are allowed to connect to the router.

If you tell me who your internet provider is, I can find out exactly how to setup security on your router, providing you're using their default equipment.

Here's a good article on securing your home network.

[SusieWinwood]

We are with Vermin and have avast as the anti virus which runs all the time. Last night we checked and even though we were not on the net the virus checker slider was active as though we were.

We couldnt get onto FBook and the trojan alert kept popping up.

We have a netgear router not a VM one, although if it makes things easier to secure we do have VM one albeit still in the wrapper

Thanks for your replies

Susie

[reiss]

If you have avast; which is a good free AV, running all the time, you shouldn't really get trojans.
Your internet connection is always on.

To access your netgear settings, try entering http://192.168.0.1/ into your browser address bar. enter admin as username and whatever your password is, I forget the default and I hope you changed it.

Once logged into your router, goto -> wireless setting
look at security options and select WPA-PSK
under WPA-PSK Security Encryption enter your network password.

You must then reconnect all your wireless devices, putting your password in when prompted.

For further security, click the Setup Access List button, click the 'Turn Access control on' and add all the devices that you want to be able to connect to your home network. You must know the MAC address of every device for this to work or you could lock out your wireless devices. Be carefull!

good luck

[SusieWinwood]

Reiss - tyvm for your reply.

We were given the netgear router so didn't password it. Would we be better putting the new vm one on then at least we have a password?

How do I find the MAC address of the devices?

TIA

Susie

[reiss]

I think the default password to login to a netgear router is 'password' (without quotes)
try-
User name: admin
Password: password

I'd keep your netgear router, they're pretty good but if you do manage to login, change the login password by clicking on 'Set Password' in the left column of the netgear admin page.

To use MAC address filtering, I'd recommend that you first add a password to your network. Unplug your router at the mains and allow it to restart. That way, you'll be sure only password authenticated users are logged into your network. You won't need to add the MAC address of your Starview as connecting it via homeplugs is the same as directly plugging it into the router i.e. not wireless.
If your main computer connects via the wifi, you'll need to add that MAC address.
To find your PC's MAC address, look here or here for vista. Don't tick the 'Turn Access Control On' until you're sure you've added your main PC. If your main PC isn't using wifi - don't worry about it.

For other devices i.e. iPhone, just google 'iphone mac address'. MAC addresses look something like this - 04:18:4D:19:21:A5

If you have other devices that connect via your wifi such as a laptop or mobile, first try and connect it to your wireless network using your network password. It should be blocked, leave the device trying to connect and then login to your netgear router page and click the Wireless access button. Your device should show up under 'Available Wireless Stations', it may say name 'unknown'
Click the add button and then the apply button, if your laptop or whatever can then connect, you've done it right!
Don't forget to make sure 'Turn Access Control On' box is ticked.
If not, post back here and I may be able to help as I have a netgear router.

The only draw back to MAC address filtering is if a friend comes around and wants to borrow your wifi, you'll have to add their device in the allowed list. But it's worth the added security in my opinion.

Good luck.

[SusieWinwood]

tyvm Reiss

Worked a treat. I got DH to do it as I've have zero patience with techy stuff.

The wi fi showed up unsecured on Monday but now it's visible but with a padlock on.

Cheers!

Susie

[reiss]

glad I could help.

[quavis]

i would assume your system is still infected and would take the time to run some more software to make sure any infections have been cleaned,,

heres a link for freeware but good cleaning software!

ComboFix | freeware

theres a few others but ive lost them from my head at this moment.

regards dave