Expert: James Filmer - 7/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

The other day when I shut down my pc, the router light was off, but today, when I got home, I noticed that the light was on, not blinking, but solid green, I just want to know what this means. Does it mean Ive been hacked? Also, just to point out, I am using the latest version of norton antivirus with the windows firewall and so far updates are good.

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Dylan,

The info on this page : http://help.orange.co.uk/orangeuk/support/personal/461875
should tell you all about any/all lights on your router. If not, let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, the site helped quite a bit. But I have another question. I just wanted to know why the flickering on the lights can be so eratic, like sometimes when I am using the internet, the light will be solid green and flicker occasionally, but sometimes when Im not using the internet and my pc is still on the light might flicker, all of this is random to me and am curious and a little concerned as to what this is. Most of thye time its the other way around though.

Thanks

Answer

There's very little possibility of being hacked at this point, unless you have other instabilities or problems - possible red flags.

Other computers are completely blocked from connecting to your computer behind your router (except for computers in your local network like other home or office computers).

Then you've got Windows Firewall which is added protection if you're sharing your connection with family members for example. Here's a link to a site that gives you some ways to check a little further. http://bit.ly/pKrAS6

Of course, I could put the info in my own words, but since it's already available and accurate, thought I'd share it.