Need/should use wired internet connection when there's extortion? Man-in-the-middle?

Question

I am being extorted by a hacker. I have a brand new Windows 11 Pro Intel NUC laptop. I have Norton Ultimate. I have a coax cable (to the wall) internet connection from my router/modem. The router/modem has both wired (ethernet) and wireless communication capabilties to/from my laptop. My wireless connection works more reliably than my ethernet connection. Is it important that I use a wired (ethernet) connection between my laptop and my modem/router? Years ago I heard a little about Man-In-The-Middle. Is that relevant here? What should I do to have good cyber interactions? Any information is appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Q&A forum.

Generally, wired Ethernet connections are more stable than wireless connections and can provide higher data transfer rates and reduce network latency, which is beneficial for ensuring the security and reliability of data transmission. If your wireless connection is more stable than a wired connection, it may be because the wireless signal is strong, there is less interference, or there is a problem with the wired link. However, when dealing with security threats, wired connections are generally considered a safer option.

A man-in-the-middle attack is when an attacker inserts himself between two communicating parties and is able to intercept, tamper with, or even control the content of the communication. In wireless networks, due to the nature of signal broadcasting, they are theoretically more vulnerable to MITM attacks. However, the widespread use of modern encryption protocols such as WPA3 and HTTPS has greatly reduced this risk. Even so, using a wired connection can further reduce this risk because physical connections are more difficult to illegally monitor or insert.

In addition to Norton Ultimate Antivirus, you can consider the following network security measures:

Firewall protection: Make sure the firewall function of your router and operating system is turned on to prevent unauthorized access.

Update software: Regularly update the operating system, applications, and security patches to fix potential vulnerabilities.

Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to increase account security.

Back up data regularly: Back up important data regularly to prevent data loss or encryption by ransomware.

I hope the information above is helpful.

Best Regards,

Yanhong Liu

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