Computer Savy Folks?

[Emmastaff]

OK, we have a wireless router for our cable internet. Today, I was ordering something online, and filling out the info for the payment. (name, address etc..) you know how when you begin to type your info in, a drop down menu will appear with suggestions? (Usually those names which you frequently use). Well my next door neighbor's name appeared in the drop down menu! So now I know that he is obviously piggy backing on our wireless connection. Now I am not very computer savvy at all. Is he accessing our computer? I mean, if his name appeared in the drop down menu, does that mean that he is doing more than just borrowing our connection? I am assuming that for his name to appear on the drop down menu on our computer, he has to be accessing our computer somehow. Or can that happen just from sharing the connection? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I have no idea. We have a Mac computer. HELP! I feel violated!

[Kaorte]

The stuff saved in the drop down menu is just saved by your browser and should be different from computer to computer. I am almost positive that someone sharing the connection should have zero access to the info saved by your browser unless they copy the saved settings file.

If you have a mac and have your network sharing off then there should be no way he could mess with it.

Was it his payment information that was showing up?

[Emmastaff]

It was his name that showed up.

[Kaorte]

It was his name that showed up.

Was it his full name? Has he ever had access to your actual computer?

[piper]

Is your wireless network secured or open? If it's not secured you should set up and noone will be able to access your wireless connection.

Unless your neighbor is really good with computers, I'm sure all he's doing is using your connection.

[Nate]

That sounds like something browser related.

Most modern browsers have this feature built in...where you start typing something and it makes suggestions OR that information was typed in before.

So, either someone on your computer typed in your neighbors name...for what ever reason...or he was physically on your computer buying something or googling his own name

So now I know that he is obviously piggy backing on our wireless connection.

piggy backing simply means he's using your internet. Is your connection a secure connection?

When you click on the Airport symbol, and it rolls down the available wireless networks, does your internet show a symbol of a lock?

If so, then you're most likely safe.

If not, then many of your neighbors will probably be borrowing your internet. Even if that's the case, Mac's are known for their solid security. You're probably still safe.

Think of it like going to a coffee shop with free wi-fi and connecting to their internet. You can see other people on the network - but there's not a whole lot you can do.

[Emmastaff]

Thanks everyone. I know I was probably overreacting, but it was kind of creepy. The guy is kind of creepy too, so I am always feeling suspicious of him. It is probably nothing, I did google his name a long time ago (remember I said he was creepy?) but that was a while back, and I can't figure out why suddenly he would pop up on the drop-down after all this time. I've never had his name show up like that before...Usually it is my name, or my husbands name because we both order stuff online.