Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Unknown computers on local network - cable isp problem?

reply to ADKTech

Re: Unknown computers on local network - cable isp problem?

reply to ADKTech
1) With your router unplugged from power, use your laptop to scan for wireless networks and see what's out there.

2) Make sure that all manner of 'sharing' is turned off in Windows 7

3) Reboot the laptop

4) Scan the wireless neighborhood again and see what pops up.

5) Factory-reset the router. Connect to it via a wired connection, reconfigure it but turn off wireless connections.

6) Scan the 'hood' for wireless AP's again.

reply to ADKTech
Hey guys,

I am back home now. I swapped in my old router and this problem went away almost immediately.

I also brought home with me a new Linksys E1200. I set that up, and this problem did not exist.

Clearly, something related to the Belkin... right?

The Belkin was running on factory defaults (with only basic IP and wifi changes) - I even did a factory reset of it, and the problem persisted.

Now we know WHAT caused the problem. But we don't know WHY. I'm willing to continue on with this till we get to the bottom of it, but I am personally out of ideas. I'd be willing to run any tests or do any troubleshooting you think might help us learn more.

Some routers or dsl modem/router devices especially those with SMB file sharing capability for USB disks look like computers on the network (from the point of view of the OS) and the OS creates a faux computer in explorer. Bing for the actual name of the unknown PC on the network and see if anyone else has reported the same exact or very similar name for the faux PC.

Sounds like a used router that still had leases/MAC adresses for it's old connections.

Hell, if I fired up my IPcop box from 2008 it'd still show leases for my LAN buddies computers from that time. Of course they aren't valid, but they'd show up.

Try doing a factory reset on the Belkin.

»en-us-support.belkin.com/app/ans···e-router

I had one I bought used a few years ago...was fullll of old crap. Only way to clean it out was a full reset.

Oh, and be sure to disable remote access and make sure its not using default Admin passwords...lists of those are easy to find online.

--

My 9/11 Tribute..online since 9/14/01
Need an Avatar? Check out Wafen's Avatar Pages

reply to ADKTech
Like previous routers from Belkin, such as the Play Max, the N750 DB comes preconfigured with two wireless networks, one on each band, with their names and encryption keys printed on a label attached to its body. This way, if you don't want to bother with setting up networks, you can just use the router with the default configuration. We'd recommend changing these, however, as the provided network names and encryption keys are hard to remember.

The N750 DB is a true dual-band router, meaning it offers two separate wireless networks simultaneously, one in the ever-popular 2.4GHz band and the other in the newer, clean 5GHz band. Its 5GHz band even supports the higher 450Mbps Wireless-N standard (as opposed to the 300Mbps of most Wireless-N routers). The router also offers a comprehensive guest networking feature, which allows guest wireless clients to access the Internet but not other local resources such as a printer or files. It can work like a public hot spot by making unknown users log in via a Web page, giving the owner more control over the connected clients. Guest networking is only available on the 2.4GHz band.

»reviews.cnet.com/routers/belkin-···iewPage1
--
Gladiator Security Forum
»www.gladiator-antivirus.com/

Hi Name Game,

Both bands were given unique SSIDs with strong WPA2-Personal passwords.

Guest networking was turned off.

reply to ADKTech
Updates:

I have a Verizon Mifi mobile broadband device. When I activate it and connect my laptop to that, this problem goes away.

Also, I took the Belkin router to my parent's house, who have a different ISP. No such problem.

So, if I eliminate either the ISP or the Belkin from the equation, the problem disappears. Only when they are both working together does it apear.

I am about as convinced as I can be that this is a combination of my ISP and that Belkin Router. My ISP has things configured in such a way, and that Belkin handles routing in such a way, that these 'rogue' machines - which I am now convinced are other customers on the ISP network - show up in my Network.

Is the Belkin in 'gateway' mode or 'bridge' mode? (does it even have the options?)

reply to ADKTech
Apart from this mystery, do you like the Belkin and want to keep using it? Have you posted in any Belkin support forum about the issue? From what you say it is so specific to your particular setup that it may not be something anyone has experienced before.
--
Don't let the pluperfect be the enemy of the perfect.

reply to ADKTech
What is the "Discovery Method" (shown in details view of Network, you might have to add the column..) for the "intruders" ?
--
Festina Lente

reply to rcdailey

reply to PapaDos

reply to ADKTech
One other thing occurred to me. Do you have an iPhone, or another smart phone? If you do, can you check the WiFi connections shown in that? If there are other networks out there they may be visible to that device.
--
Don't let the pluperfect be the enemy of the perfect.

reply to ADKTech
Do you have UPNP enabled on your router?

reply to ADKTech
My only thoughts are in relation to prior attempts to login that remain persistant.
I tried to connect to neighbours connection once to see if they were using default password. Even though i then changed it it to a rediculously long password that i randomly typed (to prevent further connection issues) it still tries to automatically connect. Unticking the "automatically connect" box does not work. It remains persistant on re-boot (win7).
Perhaps something similar is occurring here.
--
Paradigm Shift beta test pilot. "Now is the not right time to stop folding."

reply to ADKTech
Is this an appropriate method to flush prior connection issues/connections for win7 wifi?

"open search, type "services.msc" open services.
Scroll down to "wlan auto config" right click, stop the service.

Navigate to
"C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\ delete everything in this folder leaving only a folder called "profiles" delete everything in the "profiles" folder except for a folder called "interfaces" delete everything in the "interfaces" folder)

Restart "wlan auto config" connect to your wireless network, enter
your passkey, (ensure the connect automaticly box is checked)

Restart your computer job done, your computer will now connect to your wireless network automaticly on boot."

from article;»answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind···d1825dd8
--
Paradigm Shift beta test pilot. "Now is the not right time to stop folding."