Can I track down someone with their mac address?

K

KillahSam

New member
I have already went into my router settings and blocked this guys mac address from connecting to my network.

Here is the thing, there are several low income houses by me, all of which are where a single house used to be next door to my house. I know it is one of these houses that is trying to hop on my network. Last summer I had several intruders from around there but I managed to get them off with my network software. To sum things up, I plan to go knocking on the door(s) of whoever gets on my shit to let them know I don't play that.

I have the guys mac address, and he's running vista. Is there anyway I can track him down to a specific house?
 
Mac address? You mean IP Address?

I'm assuming you're using Wi-Fi, because unaware users can have other "leechers" leeching off the bandwidth of not properly secured.

Use WEP or WPA2 (it's something like changing the pass and login from default so it would be difficult for 'strangers' to use your Internet Access).

PS- Watch your language.
 
drragostea said:
Mac address? You mean IP Address?

I'm assuming you're using Wi-Fi, because unaware users can have other "leechers" leeching off the bandwidth of not properly secured.

Use WEP or WPA2 (it's something like changing the pass and login from default so it would be difficult for 'strangers' to use your Internet Access).

PS- Watch your language.
Click to expand...

No I know the difference between an IP address and a MAC address...

Don't assume, I'm not using wi-fi. I have a cable connection, my computer is wired to the router, my ps3 is wired to the router, and the computer in my living room uses the wireless ability from the router.

I understand why my network is insecure, the software I use (Network magic) the trial is up, and so is the network protection. I can manually block intruders using MAC filtering... I'm not asking that.

I'm asking if I can figure out which house is actually attempting to steal my bandwidth. All I can gather is the MAC address, and some minor details about the user's computer.
 
Oh, I see. Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the MAC address. Please hold on until a team member or security expert answers this.
 
drragostea,

You already answered the question, they just don't get it. Obviously they just want to beat somebody up, which I'm sure you don't wish to help with anymore than I do.

The problem is their own insecure wireless network, so anyone can use it any time they like. Not securing it is simply saying 'go ahead', so they get what they deserve.

I wouldn't waste my time on such a fool.

Bitman
 
bitman said:
drragostea,

You already answered the question, they just don't get it. Obviously they just want to beat somebody up, which I'm sure you don't wish to help with anymore than I do.

The problem is their own insecure wireless network, so anyone can use it any time they like. Not securing it is simply saying 'go ahead', so they get what they deserve.

I wouldn't waste my time on such a fool.

Bitman
Click to expand...

So my trial ending is getting what I deserve? Okay buy the software for me so I can re-enable the mac filtering so I don't have to do it manually when I get an intruder on my network. I'm such a fool right?

I don't get why you're so hostile, I didn't plan to go beat the guy up, I just wanted to let him, and everyone else down there not to go on my network.

That is fine that you don't want to help me, I can respect that I'm not forcing anyone to help me.
 
look at your rude self...c'mon now. why dont you secure your network? no you can't track someone down to a specific house with a mac address. its not like a gps
 
drragostea:

drragostea said:
Oh, I see. Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the MAC address. Please hold on until a team member or security expert answers this.
Click to expand...
I didn't know what a MAC address was when this thread started, but a simple Google search for "mac address" yields:
KillahSam:

KillahSam said:
… Okay buy the software for me so I can re-enable the mac filtering so I don't have to do it manually when I get an intruder on my network. ...
Click to expand...
According to this article you can secure your network for $.50 (the article was written in 2004 so it might be a little more expensive now).
Equipment for knocking on doors:
 
bay_life25 said:
look at your rude self...c'mon now. why dont you secure your network? no you can't track someone down to a specific house with a mac address. its not like a gps
Click to expand...

You could have answered your own question by reading my posts.

This is the deal, our cable bill was really high a few months back, I was unaware my software was letting everyone and their mama on my network. I blocked everyone there, and secured it.

Since then I've changed computers reinstalled my software secured the network up until the point the trial ended. Now the thing is I think it's the same people who where on my network then. This is my reason for wanting to at least track them down, because I had an idea of which house it was based on who was home, and what lights where on. These jerks been at it a while is what I'm saying and I'd like to give them a piece of my mind.

md usa spybot fan said:
drragostea:


I didn't know what a MAC address was when this thread started, but a simple Google search for "mac address" yields:
KillahSam:


According to this article you can secure your network for $.50 (the article was written in 2004 so it might be a little more expensive now).
Equipment for knocking on doors:
Click to expand...

That would be a really sweet way to block them. All of the houses in question face one side of my house only. My 2 neighbors across the street I'm pretty sure are not the ones doing it.

I'm not completely sure how far the signal can travel, perhaps I may have more houses to question.

But I can also go into my router settings and enable mac filtering from there.

I'm not having issues getting my network secured but thanks for the ideas.

And that knocking on door equipment is just what the doctor ordered.
 
I'm keeping my buscuits

Zenobia said:
Well...y'all have an interesting way of paying a visit.
I'm never having you over for tea and cookies. :spider:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Click to expand...

I agree, i'm keeping all my choc digestives for myself (Zenobia, you can have some - and also anyone else who is...err...sane! :spider:)

From Google:
Definitions of 'sane' on the Web:

- Someone who does not knock on peoples' doors and confronts them with a pump-action shotgun
Click to expand...
 
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bitman said:
drragostea,

You already answered the question, they just don't get it. Obviously they just want to beat somebody up, which I'm sure you don't wish to help with anymore than I do.

The problem is their own insecure wireless network, so anyone can use it any time they like. Not securing it is simply saying 'go ahead', so they get what they deserve.

I wouldn't waste my time on such a fool.

Bitman
Click to expand...

bay_life25 said:
look at your rude self...c'mon now. why dont you secure your network? no you can't track someone down to a specific house with a mac address. its not like a gps
Click to expand...

I see. Obviously the user is not taking responsibility in securing the network, thus this might explain the drain of bandwidth and high Internet usage. Not all people are good these days. I recall that the WEP or WPA2 works. Just a simple reconfiguration of the Pass and Login.
--
Wi-Fi Protected Access.
Wired Equivalent Privacy.
--
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is an optional IEEE 802.11 feature used to provide data confidentiality. In short, WEP is used to encrypt and decrypt data signals transmitted between Wireless LAN (WLAN) devices. WEP works by encrypting the wireless radio frequency between the access point and client device and is the minimum amount of security you should have enabled on your WLAN. Without implementing WEP, hackers can obtain information about your wireless network through a sniffer trace and can then join it without your knowledge. Since your wireless Service Set-Identifier (SSID) is sent over the air in cleartext, you need to use WEP to encrypt your data to protect it from hackers. WEP itself is not the strongest type of security you can implement on your wireless network, but it is one of the easiest ways to strengthen your wireless security network.
Click to expand...

SOURCE FROM TechRepublic.
--
Last link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2213489_use-wep-key-wireless-router.html
~
As for the cookies, Zenobia, md, honda, and bitman would be welcomed ;0.

Edit: My opinion is that the alternative would be $0.50 project or just waste your wallet on some software. Why keep the trial when the software itself it expired?
 
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Lol,it's settled then,tea and cookies at honda12's house.All pump-action shotguns are to be checked at the door. :D:
 
Zenobia said:
Lol,it's settled then,tea and cookies at honda12's house.All pump-action shotguns are to be checked at the door. :D:
Click to expand...

Hm. Pump action O.O? Instead, I might as well use a automatic machine gun. Cool!

If prohibited... then a beefed up watergun.

I guess plane tickets will be expensive Zenobia. :laugh::fear::euro::santa::police:
 
Naw,just use some points from some sort of air miles program.(honda12 is probably boarding up the windows and bolting the doors as we speak.) :laugh:
 
Zenobia said:
Naw,just use some points from some sort of air miles program.(honda12 is probably boarding up the windows and bolting the doors as we speak.) :laugh:
Click to expand...

Wow, air mileage? :P. Don't worry Zenobia, I got my shotguns loaded. I just need a travel plan. Hm. 51st century technology. I should use a jetpack :p.
 
mac address,....... Is there anyway I can track him down to a specific house?
Click to expand...
no.

my computer is wired to the router
Click to expand...
your router may support MAC filtering

you can monitor your bandwidth for "unfriendly MAC addresses" by manually putting in the MAC address of any of your devices that connects to the internet via a router. its called AirSnare and is donationware

http://home.comcast.net/~jay.deboer/airsnare/index.html
 
who says you need software to secure your network?

lol thats the dumbest thing i ever heard. Simply go to the routers setup page by way of INTERNET explorer or another browser, and set up encryption for your network. if you right click the local area connection icon near the clock on your computer that is directly connected to your router and click status, then click support, and type the address that you see under default gateway in your browser. Go to the setup page, create a password so that no one can go in your router and change your security. Use WPA or another form of security encryption. . Look at your routers set up instruction booklit so that you can find out how to enable your security. You do not have to have "software" to encrypt your network. That "software" is the firmware in your router that can provide security for you. Just set it up!! You should not have to pay for software to do that for you. A firewall on your computer would be a good thing as well.

by the way, if you are using a router, you have WIFI. Thats how other people are stealing your network. Through the air.
 
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Where can I cheap planks of wood?

Zenobia said:
Naw,just use some points from some sort of air miles program.(honda12 is probably boarding up the windows and bolting the doors as we speak.) :laugh:
Click to expand...

I sure am...:fear:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
129260 said:
lol thats the dumbest thing i ever heard. Simply go to the routers setup page by way of INTERNET explorer or another browser, and set up encryption for your network. if you right click the local area connection icon near the clock on your computer that is directly connected to your router and click status, then click support, and type the address that you see under default gateway in your browser. Go to the setup page, create a password so that no one can go in your router and change your security. Use WPA or another form of security encryption. . Look at your routers set up instruction booklit so that you can find out how to enable your security. You do not have to have "software" to encrypt your network. That "software" is the firmware in your router that can provide security for you. Just set it up!! You should not have to pay for software to do that for you. A firewall on your computer would be a good thing as well.

by the way, if you are using a router, you have WIFI. Thats how other people are stealing your network. Through the air.
Click to expand...

I've already went into the firmware and blocked the guy's mac address right after it happened. Again I'm not having trouble making my connection secure, I just wanted to find out where the person lived who was going on my network because my bill was high a few months ago. Figured if I could get enough evidence against them I could charge them for stealing my bandwidth.

Basically if I had all the info about their computer they couldn't really deny doing so. But since then I've found it pretty impossible to track them down with just the MAC address.
 
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