Intercepted Emails

[adtastichosting]

Also too you want to make certain you have tightened up your network security. You need to know how to access your routers control panel. For example if you have a linksys router it would likely be http://192.168.1.1 but you can also use the ipconfig /all command from the command line from your computer to see what your default gateway ip address is. Its been a good while since I did this kind of thing but I think these are the steps necessary. If I leave anything out or have anything wrong surely someone will let me know.

Once in the control panel their are some things you can do to tighten security. The first thing I would do is change my routers password to insure I am not using the default password. If it is still set as the default likely it is admin for the user and the password is blank. I believe this works for both linksys and dlink routers but could stand corrected there. If you can't get in you might have to push the little reset button on your router and reset it to factory defaults and start fresh.

Also too, you can actually make your router potentially invisible to him. Of course if he has a snooper it won't help you but if not he won't see your router. To do this you would deactivate SSID broadcast. Also too the SSID broadcast is set on a default, For example on linksys it says "linksys" I think along with the model number but maybe just linksys can't remember. I would change the SSID name to something else but not something that tells anything personally about me. Maybe "bigbrotheriswatching" or something lol. Then if he says something maybe tell him (or even drop casually) I am tired of the internet so I let my connection go") and perhaps try some misdirection to get him off your tail a little bit, so to speak and just maybe the drop of your unique identifier in the SSID might misdirect him into thinking you don't have internet anymore.

Another thing I might do is to turn off UPnP you likely do not need it and it is a potential security issue.

Of course I would use WPA over WEP as WPA is supposed to be more secure.

I would use MAC address filtering to mitigate anyone else surfing on my network wirelessely. To turn on MAC address filtering you need to know the MAC address for each wireless device on your network. To determine your address at the command prompt type ipconfig /all and look for the physical address. It is six hexadecimal numbers like 00-24-92-CE-5F-49-9E. Once I have this informaiton then from my router control panel I go to the filters section and apply MAC filters, entering the name and MAC address for the computer and each box in my house that connects wirelessly. If you are connected to your router though with a network cable MAC address filtering won't apply. But at least with MAC address filtering it would potentially stop anyone from wirelesseley using your internet connection unless thay have been given authorization via the filtering.

And lastly, I would update my firmware.

Of course, this isn't my area of expertise but I think these items will help you.

But too what concerns me is beyond him having access to your internet. History shows us clearly that people with obsessions like he is seemingly showing should be seen as a warning of potential escalated issues, to put it nicely. At the very least, you need to go to the Police and at LEAST get it into the public record by filing a report. Agreed, there is probably nothing can be done at this point but at least it will document it properly and in the event you turn up I'm sorry to say, disappeared we'll all have a trail to follow.

It wouldn't hurt too to take a self defense course, pourchase some really good mace or stun gun that kind of thing. Look- the important thing is you must take this very seriously and hope for the best but expect the worse. Don't be naive. I am not a psychologist or other type of expert on this matter by any means but I do watch CNN. He has shown what appears to me as the classic signs of an obsessive personality according to how you have explained this. Clearly if we watch the news we see examples unfortunately all the time of situations like this where people saw the warning signs, didn't know better or didn't do anything about it and ended up the worse for it later. So at the least seek professional assistance that would be the best advice anyone could give and something you should listen to and not tomorrow, today.

(But also too, all that said, what Deepsand says too we should take note of. Perhaps he is just simply obsessively curious or just thought he had an edge on getting inside your pants, um head, and isn't really a bad or evil person. But all the same, like I say, hope for the best, expect the worse and prepare accordingly and at least you are covered to the greatest possible extent.)

[DaveSawers]

E.g., it's entirely possible that any actions that he may have taken were motivated by simple curiosity, by a desire to test his own technical prowess, or a genuine and sincere interest in our fellow member.

I can't believe you wrote that!

Whatever his "motives", this guy's a whack job. Maybe not dangerous (yet) but you should get as far away as possible and take whatever legitimate action you can to ensure he knows it's innapropriate, illegal behaviour.

... purchase some really good mace or stun gun that kind of thing

Fortunately, for everyone concerned, owning that kind of nonsense is illegal in the UK.

[deepsand]

I can't believe you wrote that!

Whatever his "motives", this guy's a whack job. Maybe not dangerous (yet) but you should get as far away as possible and take whatever legitimate action you can to ensure he knows it's innapropriate, illegal behaviour.

And, I find it quite unacceptable that people should jump to conclusions based on facts not in evidence!

I defy any person to truthfully state that they have never acted in a manner that was illegal or inappropriate. If ever having done so is the sole criteria for being a "whack job," then we are all such.

[DaveSawers]

The facts are in evidence. How you choose to interpret the potential threat is of course up to you.

[deepsand]

All of the facts are not in evidence.

Carefully re-read all of chandrika's posts.

Secondly, I note that you carefully avoid the 2nd paragraph of my post. From that one might conclude that you too have at some point in your life done something that was illegal an/or inappropriate, such that you too are a "whack job."

[Doc]

Chandrika-

I agree with those that have said this guy's behavior is cause for concern. While deepsand is technically correct, I think your situation is one that I would recommend you err on the side of caution. The fact that this fellow is apparently deliberately letting you know that he knows things about you that he shouldn't, is cause enough, in my opinion, to doubt the wisdom of ignoring it.

I would also advise that you go to the police, even though there is probably little that they can do. At least it will be on record, and with a bit of luck, some burly detective that has a daughter living on her own, might decide to pay the chap a visit and let him know that the police are aware of the situation. That might well be sufficient to stop the problem.

I would also implement the several internet security steps that were called out, and always use your deadbolt. And I would NEVER allow the young man into your flat again.

You are learning first-hand, how putting too much information out there can be dangerous, if someone is standing by to take advantage. I hope the only downside is that of some worrying on your part.

[williamc]

Doc, I agree. The fact that the guy deliberately 'wanted' her to know he had all this information is definately a red flag to my way of thinking. Maybe I am cynical, but it screams stereotypical 'stalker' to me. Having seen firsthand what some of those cases turn into, I find it enough cause for concern to take steps. Enough so, were it my 20 year old daughter, I would have already paid the guy a visit on her behalf myself in a not so friendly manner, just to make sure he knew someone was paying attention and was not at all happy.

[deepsand]

Chandrika-

I agree with those that have said this guy's behavior is cause for concern. While deepsand is technically correct, I think your situation is one that I would recommend you err on the side of caution.

Nearly always advisable; exceptions should be made only when you're willing and able to bear the consequences of throwing caution to the wind.

[Peopleunit]

I think it goes without saying that you probably peeved him when you changed the PW on your wireless, even more so when you failed to let him know when he came by for a visit. Just be up front with him, that you no longer wish to give him access, if for no other reason that it could very well be against the terms of use agreement with your ISP.

At the same time, it could be wise to install anti-virus, anti-spyware and such and run some thorough scans for any such malware on all your PC's.

I like the idea of implementing MAC address filtering, I'll have to remember that. Presently all my PC's are hardwired to my router and the wireless is turned off completely. I only turn it on when my brother who owns a laptop stops by for a visit...

For proof positive, you might re-enable his access and then bait him with specific info posted via email, and then if he takes the bait, get him to implicate himself with a trail that can be traced, by communicating with him via email or cell phone, where he discloses some otherwise unknown references to info that you baited him with. I hope I made sense in describing this.

With traceable proof, then its time to get the police involved... in regard to electronic spying, etc. Speak with a detective, someone with the FBI or the FCC if necessary. If the guy is a stalker or does turn out to be a real weirdo (more than just showing an interest), for your own safety get the authorities involved. At the same time, one or two instances of pecularity could be just that, a peculiar coincidence.

Bait him with some info that would clearly implicate him, send a few fictitious emails that he'd be likely to comment or act on... something like you've found a new job so you'll be moving out and have an appointment to go look at a new apartment tomorrow or this weekend, or you're planning on going somewhere nearby, like your parents house... then see if he follows you. If he follows you, get the cops on the phone and they'll have probable cause to bring him in for a few questions.

Heck, no reason to wait. If you're already convinced he's stalking or hacking your network, give the police his name and ask them to run a background check on the guy, now.

I sent an email to a girl on a singles website a while back where it was pretty clear that she worked for the FBI or something similar. Lo and behold, within hours it looked like there was some strange stuff going on with my PC, etc. Maybe this guy works for the CIA and he's privy to infiltrating your ISP, etc. Bastards...

[Doc]

I think this is particularly poor advice, peopleunit.
On the off chance that this guy is at all dangerous, or even potentially so, he should not be played with by chandrika. In the first place, doing so could very well escalate the situation. Also, if a court case were to ever develop, having done so could potentially undermine the case against him.

Alerting the authorities to her concerns is, I believe, her best option at this point, short of relocating. This situation needs to be defused, not fueled.

I think it goes without saying that you probably peeved him when you changed the PW on your wireless, even more so when you failed to let him know when he came by for a visit. Just be up front with him, that you no longer wish to give him access, if for no other reason that it could very well be against the terms of use agreement with your ISP.

At the same time, it could be wise to install anti-virus, anti-spyware and such and run some thorough scans for any such malware on all your PC's.

I like the idea of implementing MAC address filtering, I'll have to remember that. Presently all my PC's are hardwired to my router and the wireless is turned off completely. I only turn it on when my brother who owns a laptop stops by for a visit...

For proof positive, you might re-enable his access and then bait him with specific info posted via email, and then if he takes the bait, get him to implicate himself with a trail that can be traced, by communicating with him via email or cell phone, where he discloses some otherwise unknown references to info that you baited him with. I hope I made sense in describing this.

With traceable proof, then its time to get the police involved... in regard to electronic spying, etc. Speak with a detective, someone with the FBI or the FCC if necessary. If the guy is a stalker or does turn out to be a real weirdo (more than just showing an interest), for your own safety get the authorities involved. At the same time, one or two instances of pecularity could be just that, a peculiar coincidence.

Bait him with some info that would clearly implicate him, send a few fictitious emails that he'd be likely to comment or act on... something like you've found a new job so you'll be moving out and have an appointment to go look at a new apartment tomorrow or this weekend, or you're planning on going somewhere nearby, like your parents house... then see if he follows you. If he follows you, get the cops on the phone and they'll have probable cause to bring him in for a few questions.

Heck, no reason to wait. If you're already convinced he's stalking or hacking your network, give the police his name and ask them to run a background check on the guy, now.

I sent an email to a girl on a singles website a while back where it was pretty clear that she worked for the FBI or something similar. Lo and behold, within hours it looked like there was some strange stuff going on with my PC, etc. Maybe this guy works for the CIA and he's privy to infiltrating your ISP, etc. Bastards...