I had all my PCs shut down/unplugged recently to move them but noticed the wireless light on my Actiontec was still lit/flashing. Could this be due to someone hacking into my DSL? I removed the antenna and it stopped. Replaced the antenna and it started again. I have a password on the wireless part but I understand software is out there which allows someone to determine the password. I have not changed the password yet until I ascertain if there is any way to determine the IP of the hacker. Or will any records just show MY IP no matter who connects? I am concerned with someone downloading illegal material or posting messages which will come back to my IP address.
Should I report this to Verizon now in case some legal difficulty should come my way in the future?
I'm not very smart on this stuff so please bear with me. Thanks...
#1 Lock down (secure) the network.
#2 To answer your question: Even if you could figure out the IP Address, you might not be able to find out who hacked into your wireless network.
The IP address in this case will be absolutely useless. Because he came in through your wireless access point, he will be assigned an IP address in the 192.168.1.x range. These are non-routable IP addresses, and just about router in the world assigns connected users an IP in that range. So it is absolutely useless.
You may be able to obtain the MAC address from the Wireless router log/statistics, at least that is likely to be unique, but it doesn't tell you where or who the hacker is.
As the other poster suggested, lock down your wireless network. WEP is probably the easiest to use, and will certainly deter the average hacker. MAC filtering also usually works well because very few users understand how to change the MAC address through software. Basically MAC filtering only allows the MAC addresses on your list to utilize the network. WPA may or may not be available on wireless access point. It is more secure than WEP, but probably exacts a small performance price.
Most modems/routers (not all) give you the ability to disable the broadcasting of the SSID. That is the specific name you wireless network is given. If it is stealthed to others who are scanning wireless networks it will not appear. Once you hide your SSID, you can change the password, but also make sure you change the SSID number so people who already hacked into it won't be able to get back in. You will also have to reconfigure any wireless networks in your house with the new SSID. It's sounds like a hassle but it's really not.
You could hide the SSID, but be strongly advised that you are not really hidden at all.
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