Detection Software? A possibility?

[BuddyB]

Very curious. By any chance is there a piece of software available that will warn you if someone is invading your computer? I know that firewalls are supposed to give you protection unless there's a sharp cracker specifically after you. I'm always concerned about Hotspots and the possibilities. We did have Sprint wireless for awhile, but the expense vs. use on the road didn't justify the cost. Just curious about detection software. If you had a warning system at least you could shut down.
Thanks, BuddyB

[TreeTopsRanch]

My anti-virus software always lets me know when there is an malicious intrusion. (So far) Plus I do scheduled scans to catch any that were missed.

[BuddyB]

Never thought about it but mine may also. I've always felt a bit compromised in a public HotSpot setup.

[Steve Grisetti]

The firewall should keep people from actually getting into your computer when you're using wi-fi. Assuming, of course, you haven't downloaded spyware that allows them to circumvent the firewall. Which is why I regularly run Spybot Search & Destroy to clean and block spyware.

While you're enjoying wi-fi at Starbucks, random people can't just see your e-mail or whatever else you're doing online.

The bigger danger is if you've got an open wi-fi router at home. Anyone in the neighborhood can hitch a free ride on it. And, should they do anything naughty or illegal and the FBI traces the origin, they'll trace it back to your router.

[Bob]

Actually, with a wireless connection anyone with the right software (compatible driver and a "sniffer" program) can detect and capture all the wireless traffic nearby. They don't even have to be connected to the hotspot, just close enough to receive the radio transmission from your PC. There are also people that set up fake hotspots. If you connect to one of those instead of the real hotspot, it's a classic man-in-the-middle situation and they can see what you're doing. You need to protect yourself by using SSL or other encrypted connections when possible. See this article for more info and other suggestions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/26674/keep-your-windows-computer-secure-on-public-wireless-hotspots/