Apartment has Modem built into wall? Security concerns?

triarii3

Gawd
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Jul 24, 2010
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Hi guys

I recently moved into an apartment complex. It's internet and TV package is include in the high-cost rent.

The apartment already has a modem built in the wall somewhere. I don't know where the modem is and if I'm sharing this modem with my neighbors.

All I know is that when I plug in my router into the Ethernet port in the wall, it works. no activation needed.


What security concerns should I have? What right should I have in terms knowing the physical location and specs of this router? how is it protected? Should be concerned that I am sharing the same IP address with the previous owner? Is building a modem into apartment walls legal?

thanks

Steven
 
Your apartment complex likely leases a single fast connection and then uses a switches to split it up into all of the apartments. The ISP generally installs this for the complex. Normally you can’t see any other device on the network except for stuff in your apartment. This is fairly standard in many areas, I wouldnt worry too much.
 
That's strange considering sometimes the modem needs a power reset
 
That's strange considering sometimes the modem needs a power reset

As stated in the post prior to yours, there's probably not a modem in the mix at all, and instead each apt. gets its internet connectivity from a distribution switch somewhere. That switch is then connected to the ISP via a router or maybe to a central point in the complex that then goes to the ISP.
 
I would just throw a firewall on your end and run a VPN, just to make extra sure no one is looking at your traffic.
 
Your router is keeping you just as secure as if you plugged it into a modem putting you on the open web. IE should not be a problem at all.
 
i personally would not like this at all. i want to know where all the wires go, and that i own all the equipment. who knows, the whole place could be wired together and the owner has a comcast modem in the basement or broom closet where everything is wired into :D

if it were me, i'd call whatever ISP is in the area and have my own dedicated line installed...
 
i personally would not like this at all. i want to know where all the wires go, and that i own all the equipment. who knows, the whole place could be wired together and the owner has a comcast modem in the basement or broom closet where everything is wired into :D

if it were me, i'd call whatever ISP is in the area and have my own dedicated line installed...

In an apartment, it may not be possible to get service from someone else. It may be cost prohibitive as well to have it happen.

Besides, it really isn't that different than having a cable modem or not having a cable modem. You put your firewall behind the "modem" anyways. So you are protecting your internal network. If you are really that paranoid, then you can get a VPN and set your firewall to automatically connect to the VPN endpoint. Though your traffic out of the VPN endpoint is going to be in the clear anyways. At some point you give up control of your connection and hand it off to the network.

As always you do what you can to secure your internal network.
 
We had this in one of our previous apartments--just treat it as the same as the ethernet coming out from the cable/dsl/carrier modem and plug in your router like usual. :)
 
You can dowload a free lan scan software and see if detects any other machines in other apartments other than your own. If it does then you have an improper setup by the apartment authority and it needs to be addressed by them.
 
Ours was like that, hehe. I could see network shares of people that plugged directly in vs using a router. :eek:
 
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