I just went to download something and I was told that my IP address was already in the middle of a download, despite the fact I wasn't and haven't downloading anything all day. Is someone using my IP address? and if so, can i stop them?! I would appreciate any help on this matter!
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Ip address stolen?
(21 posts)
I assume so! I havent actually downloaded anything before from rapidshare (I've only ever streamed videos, like on youtube) but I wanted to try, and the site looks pretty massive with paypal symbols etc. so I assumed it was legit? I must admit to a total lack of experience with these things: if you think it's not a very trustworthy site I won't try again. But am just concerned about the fact that while I was on it, mid-attempt, I was told I was already downloading something from my IP address - which I'm definitely not!
OK, I don't know the site either, but I was unsure when I had a look.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au.....26312.html
To be honest, I don't see how anyone could 'steal' your IP address. Even if somebody spoofed your IP address, they shouldn't be able to actually achieve any downloads, because the packet dispatched by the server would get routed to you, rather than the spoofer.
What sort of a connection are you using?
If you're connecting to Rapidshare from a computer on a LAN, you might be subject to Network Address Translation, meaning multiple computers on your LAN will likely be sharing a single public IP address. For example, if you're at work, and your employer has fifty computers all connecting to the Internet, then it's entirely possible that any one of those computers could be already connecting to Rapidshare, and thus 'tying up' the IP address. You'll need to check if anyone else on your network is using Rapidshare, because if they are, you'll have to wait for them to finish.
Alternatively, if you're using dial-up, or any other connection with a dynamic IP address (usually 'home' Internet connections), you might be using an IP address that someone else was using a few minutes ago. For example: Bob dials up, gets allocated an IP address, starts downloading from Rapidshare, and his connection drops out. His ISP returns the IP address to the 'unused' pool. Sandy dials up, gets allocated the exact same IP address, and tries to download from Rapidshare. Rapidshare won't realise that this is a different person, and it doesn't yet realise that Bob's download is dead, so it refuses the connection (assuming Sandy to be Bob). In this case, you'll just need to wait it out for a while, until Rapidshare realises that their old download isn't going. Then, it should timeout, and you'll be okay. If that's the case, try it again in a half-hour or so.
Failing that, it could be some kind of a glitch on their end. It's been known to happen. :(
ah, thank you both for your help. I am using an internet connection from home, but it's not dial up. possibly it's the proxy-server thing mentioned in the link Lighthouse mentioned?
My only concern was that someone might somehow be using all my bandwidth somehow or have hacked into my IP address - I'm afraid I am fairly computer illiterate, so I'm not aware if that is a genuine threat or not, but I thought I should check! I'll re-try in an hour or so and see if it is a glitch - as long as it's nothing to be concerned over, I really don't mind why it happened, tbh. Thank you both :)
Rapidshare is a site that lets people upload what they want according to the rules of the site. One of the rules is no illegal files.
Due to the fact that some people break rules sometimes there could be some illegal files on that site so if you find something you just have make a guess on it's legality.
Most things are easy to spot like if you see pay for software or movies they are probably not illegal.
Edit: Just saw the new posts. If the wireless connection is to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) router to be used by multiple people then the IP Address is shared between all of users of that router.
Yeah, we have a router, although there is only one other computer connected and I know that no one has used it to download any files. Thanks for the legality advice; i might steer clear of what I was planning in that case! I'll keep checking the site for a few days though to check I'm not still 'downloading' anything from my IP - I imagine that's the best course of action?
It's very easy to join a network on an unprotected wireless router. Protecting yourself from intruders should be the first thing you do, before even setting up your Internet access. Especially if you live in an apartment building. Your neighbours may have been leeching free Internet access off of you. While wireless is sure convenient, it is also a larger security risk (from people living nearby to you). Although WEP provides a layer of protection, any malicious computer operator who knows where to look for the right software can bypass WEP quite easily, due to various insecurities in its design (covered herein: http://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/isaac/mobicom.pdf).
Most routers indicate activity with quick irregular flashes, which indicate packet activity. Wireless is a little difficult, because you don't see a little light for each Ethernet port. You should still have some kind of status light and/or cable/dsl light which may or may not blink with Internet activity. But it's very difficult to tell whether the activity is something sinister (like someone leeching your bandwidth) or something innocent (like your router updating it's internal clock via NTP).
The Faraday's Cage idea is very funny! Alas, where are you going to find enough aluminum foil to cover an entire home? ;)
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