Access to turned off computer

[SnapperOne]

In short, is it possible to access "any" information, any information at all, from a turned off computer via an always on cable modem connection?

[Graham]

If it is completely off, no !!

G

[SnapperOne]

As long as "completely off" means <Start><ShutDown><ShutDown>, Hard Drive not running, monitor off, PC power supply not running...........but not unplugged from my backup power supply or AC outlet, then I guess my PC is completely off. It was suggested recently, that someone can access a PIII or greater chip via an always on cable modem, even if the PC is off.

[Zotzmein]

First I don't think the remote power on feature would be an aspect of the CPU, I think it's a function of the motherboard’s BIOS. I’ve never used it but my system has the ability to be setup for remote power on. As in it the system is totally shutdown, not simply in doze, sleep or low power consumption mode.

If I read the manual correctly it can be activated through telephone dialup or set to power itself on at a particular time. I don’t know how you would interface a cable modem to boot the system but I’m sure if you have the right motherboard this should be doable.

My particular motherboard is an Abit BX6-Revision 2.

Regards,

Zotz Mein

[Mntsnow]

Zot is mostly correct in his info. How a cable modem would come into this would be IF the computer (any computer not just a p3) that has the advanced power functions and the ability to use and has a NIC card that has "WOL" (wake on lan) function.

in short WOL can turn on a computer just like a keyboard can if the advanced functions are avalable in the bios and the rest of the required hardware is present.

[Zotzmein]

Yes! I've should have thought of that, the cable modem routes into the NIC card which would allow you to use the WOL (Wake On Lan) function. Assuming of course your system supports WOL.

To receive a "mostly correct" acknowledgment from Mntsnow is quite the honorific, thanks!

Warmest Regards,

Zotz Mein

[SnapperOne]

Sorry for being dense, but what's an NIC card?

[Zotzmein]

NIC = Network Interface Card

[SnapperOne]

Zotzmein........Does the Intel 10/100 ethernet card attached to my AT&T modem qualify as an NIC?

[jad1097]

Yes

[SnapperOne]

Ok, Jad1097 & Zotzmein..........with your help, we've identified that my PC is mechanically vulnerable, through my Intel Ethernet card and AT&T modem, to someone remotely accessing my PC....even if I turn it off. What I'd appreciate your clarifying for me now, however is this.......

For my system BIOS to accept a remote "wake up" command thru an NIC, is there anything I must do first to allow this to occur, such as go into my BIOS and "flip a switch", or can it be done entirely without my participation?

[randy48]

The NIC and mainboard must both support WOL. To use WOL, you have to attach a cable from the NIC to the mainboard...simlar to the cable from CR to soundcard.

Unless they have developed some sort of newer technology for the WOL to work?

[Zotzmein]

1. NIC (network interface card) must support WOL (Wake on LAN). Your cards manual should have information regarding rather this feature is included with your card. If you don’t have a manual you might inspect the card and see if you can locate a three-pin header that if you lucky might have something etched on the NIC’s board that denotes it being the WOL plugin.

2. Motherboard must support WOL and have built in Wake on LAN header. Three-pin header that will look identical to the one on the NIC card or vice versa.

You’ll need to purchase a cable specifically created for this type of connectivity. Attach the cable from the card to the motherboard. It will have a three-pin connector at each end (I’m guessing each end of the cord will be female). Setup your BIOS for Wake on LAN, I think this achieved in part through the power management interface and you should be good to go.

My description should be generally correct. I don’t have a lot of networking experience and I’m not sure what is all entirely involved with setting up the WOL function.

Warmest Regards,

Zotz Mein

Note: your system is not inherently “vulnerable” to external penetration when it’s off unless you’ve gone through all this trouble to set things up in advance.

[This message has been edited by Zotzmein (edited 03-24-2001).]

[Mntsnow]

Excellent reply Zot and others http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Just to totally clairify Snapper's last question...

You will have to set the computer up to use wake-on-lan. the computer's default settings will have wake-on-lan DISABLED by default IF your board supports this function. so with that known your computer is not able to be started UNLESS you or whoever set your computer up for you has enabled that setting.

Btw. I would HIGHLY suggest that you invest in getting a firewall of some sort with a cable modem/DSL type connection....for a free one that many people like and is very easy to use and setup is Zone Alarm

[SnapperOne]

Mntsnow, Zotz Mein, Jad1097.......SysOpt to the rescue once again. I just love this "place".

Mntsnow......Thanks for the heads-up on ZoneAlarm; but, I've been using it for awhile. My initial question about accessing an "off" PC did, in fact, come about as I was suggesting that someone else use ZoneAlarm. He said he'd read (somewhere) that even with a firewall someone could simply access a PC via an always on cable connection. This, in short, prompted my question on SysOpt.

Thanks again.

[Ruahrc]

Just 2 quick questions:

Do most NIC's today have a "Wake on Lan" header? Or is it only a feature of higher end and higher priced cards?

Second- you mention that the cable for it must be bought separately. Now is this some sort of special cable or is it possible for one to make his own via a header, a soldering iron and some wire? My take on it is that wire is wire, no?

Ruahrc

[Andy_L]

Wake on lan cables are a 3 wire setup, the connector is identical to the connector on an Intel boxed processor fan.
Some newer bios can use any activity on the PCI bus to turn on, so you donyt need a special cable..