Does ip lead to individual PCs?

[TheOne]

Hello all,

I have a simple question. If I use a non secured or free wifi spot to download some mp3s and movies, is there any way it can be traced back to my computer or me?

Since I assume the ip showing would be whatever the wifi connection is assigned by the ISP.

Thanks!

[AboveTheLogic]

your PC's MAC address and the IP you used is likely stored in the logs at that location (at the very least, the DHCP logs), how long it is stored depends on how it was setup

[TheOne]

Originally Posted by AboveTheLogic

your PC's MAC address and the IP you used is likely stored in the logs at that location (at the very least, the DHCP logs), how long it is stored depends on how it was setup

Ok so let's assume that my pc's mac address was logged, how can that be used to identify me?

Since the ip will not have my name attached to it, what in the MAC address or DHCP loggings could possibly lead prying eyes to my door steps?

Thanks!!!

[wimiadmin]

Probably not to your door step, but if you log on to that network again, they might be able to "flag" that MAC address and then monitor who is on their network at that time and go from there.

[AboveTheLogic]

hmm

well if your MAC address is logged, they might ID you by looking at the bottom of your laptop and matching it with a sticker that may be there

or possibly by doing some massive investigation by also checking home ISPs logs for the same MAC, and hoping that you plugged directly into the router or something

either way its not very likely

[TheOne]

Originally Posted by AboveTheLogic

hmm

well if your MAC address is logged, they might ID you by looking at the bottom of your laptop and matching it with a sticker that may be there

or possibly by doing some massive investigation by also checking home ISPs logs for the same MAC, and hoping that you plugged directly into the router or something

either way its not very likely

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it much. Now to reply to the quoted reply above, now they can ID my personal log in via my mac address. However please tell me how that would lead them to a name and address? I hope my pc's mac address wouldn't mysteriously have my name and address on there.

Now for the massive investigation part, even if the check several diffrent home ISP logs to see how many times this MAC address has appeared, again whether or not I conneted to 5 wifi networks at different times, how would that ever point them to a name and address? I mean it's not like they can visit everyone's home on a block and demand to see the back of their laptop!

Thanks

[wimiadmin]

When you log in from home though, other credentials from your cable modem are sent. Match up the cable modem credentials with your MAC address and knock knock.....someone's at the door.

If you're doing any malicious activity, it's best not do it at all, but if you insist, then it's best to do it on someone else's network.

[mosey]

Originally Posted by TheOne

Hello all,

I have a simple question. If I use a non secured or free wifi spot to download some mp3s and movies, is there any way it can be traced back to my computer or me?

Since I assume the ip showing would be whatever the wifi connection is assigned by the ISP.

Thanks!

i just posted a thread about the same thing BUT we have been identified as illegally downloading P2P music but didn't do it!! Was she identified thru the router at the dorm? The IP addresses don't match either. Most importantly, she didn't do it. How can they (RIAA) prosecute?