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Why am I seeing 2 other computers in my Network?

Anonymous
2011-05-23T03:48:34+00:00

I've noticed in my Network that there are 2 other computers, and mine, in a 'workgroup' but I'm an end user and I am not a part of a workgroup. This is a very recent occurance. I couldn't find any way to determine why I'm seeing other computers in this workgroup, and I can't find information on enabling or disabling 'workgroup' on my system. I connect via wireless to the router of my service provider to access the internet, and this is a little confusing to me.

I've been having problems with slow browsers and I notice in performance monitoring that my CPU (dual core AMD 2 gig) is spiking and my memory usage (2 gigs) is 50% or more almost constantly, but I can't see anything using resources in 'programs' or 'services'. I've tried to eliminate any junk from startup and uninstall any frivolous programs. Of course, I'm still running a bunch of stuff, but I'm suspicious that something isn't right.

Any comments regarding the CPU spiking and slow browser and whether or not this might have something to do with the workgroup I'm seeing?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-05-23T21:53:06+00:00

    Hi

    If your Wireless connection is Not secured it might be neighbors logging to your Internet connection.

    From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

    No Security

    Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if it is Off)

    MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be easily Spoofed).

    WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).

    WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).

    The three above are Not considered safe.

    Safe Starts here at WPA.

    WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).

    WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)

    WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

    Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

    The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

    All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

    Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

    I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

    If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

    Wireless Security -  http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-05-23T13:41:18+00:00

    Do you have any other equipment attached to your router? If not, your neighbours may be connected to your router. You should change your wireless password and ensure you are using WPA or WPA2 encryption.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-24T01:09:21+00:00

    Thanks! I'll upgrade when I build my next system, I'm using a laptop on an unsecure router to my ISP ... wireless. I'm not going to upgrade this laptop, but I'm going to build a new system and beef it up so I'll employ strong security on that one ..

    A little aside, I'm pretty comfortable with Windows, but I'm not a programmer or a SysAdmin by trade, so I sometimes get muddled about more technical issues.. but I've built my own systems many times .. I decided to try a Mac, and I don't like Apple ... weird to me the way they do things .. they are not very helpful and not very intuitive IMO ... so I've decided to build a new PC, I'll use Quad(s) with 8-20 GB RAM, with a good motherboard and get more info and advice for security before I build, so I can make it as bulletproof as possible.

    Great forum, thanks for your help and advice.l

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