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Which is safer from intrusion at home? Public network or private network?

Anonymous
2020-04-09T06:05:14+00:00

Hi,

I have reason to believe that my computer activity is being monitored by a neighbour and I'd like to know which setting would provide me with the maximum protection against such an intrusion at home. Would it be a public network or a private network? The descriptions I find on the net are confusing. If a public network is meant to keep one safe in public settings such as restaurants or airports, would I not be safer using this setting at home? Or is the private network setting better for me?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-09T07:00:41+00:00

    The type of network pertains to the network that you will connect to. The private network pertains to networks that you trust such as your own home network because your device will be visible to all those that are connected on the same network which would probably be your family or anyone that you would allow access to.

    On the other hand, the public network pertains to a network that is publicly available such as a library or coffee shop. If you will switch to a public network, your device will be hidden to all other people that are connected to your network.

    If you feel that someone was able to access your network the first thing you would have to do is to change your modem's interface or gateway password then after that you would need to change as well the password for your network to make it more secure.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-09T06:40:45+00:00

    Hi,

    This is Wil, one of the independent advisor, an expert with Windows 10 and a fellow Windows 10 user like you. I understand your concern about the type of network.

    The type of network that you would use for your network would depend on how would you like to use that network. Security doesn't really depend on the type of network that you would choose. The public network though can make your device hidden from anyone that is connected on the network. May I ask why do you think your neighbor is monitoring your computer activity. As long as your neighbor doesn't have access on your network, he or she won't be able to monitor your activity.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/404304...

    I hope my suggestions help you. If you need further assistance please do reply back and I will respond as quickly as possible. Have a nice day.

    Thanks,

    Wilfred P.

    Independent Advisor

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-09T06:53:00+00:00

    I only use my laptop from home to surf the internet, use e-mail or print documents. That's it.

    I've gotten a warning from someone that this might be an issue and I also see my mouse move independently without me executing a command. 

    So if a public network makes my device hidden from anyone that is connected to a network, does this not mean that the public network option would be a safer option for me? I assumed that the word ''private'' implied some extra level of privacy...

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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