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? rotating numbers next to wifi symbol

Instead of seeing PPPoe next to my wifi symbol at top of my page I am getting a set of numbers that keep rotating. Is someone accessing my computer. What does it mean should I be worried and what do I do?

Posted on Mar 17, 2012 5:58 PM

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17 replies

Mar 17, 2012 8:03 PM in response to dawsonoz

Well normally you use the router as a connection point to your ISP, whether that is cable or DSL. Most of the time all PPPoE connections are DSL and the router should handle all of that. Then all your wired or wireless devices connect to the router and get a Private IP address assigned by the DHCP server in the router.


Unless you are mistaking PPPoE for the SSID name of you WiFi network.


As to those numbers it looks like part of a MAC (Media Access Control) address. Except for the hyphens.


I've looked around my WiFi settings and don't see anywhere to enable those numbers in the Menu Bar.


Look at you IP address, does it start with 192 or 172 or 10? If it doesn't then you are getting a Public (Internet) IP address assigned to your computer. That isn't good as you are part of the internet instead of being on a Private LAN.

In that case you are using PPPoE on the computer to login to your ISP network. This should be changed ASAP.

Mar 17, 2012 8:31 PM in response to dawsonoz

dawsonoz wrote:


Hello there


The numbers have now stopped. I am now wondering if it is connected to the timer which shows how long I am connected. But it was such a strange set of numbers. I am wondering if I am ok now, but very nervous. Also my ip addres is 10.1 etc which is a default address I think. Any suggestions


Cheers


Julie

Yes the 10.x.x.x is a private IP handed out by the Apple router. Not sure why you have a timer setup for your connection but in any event I think you may be correct as to what those numbers are.

? rotating numbers next to wifi symbol

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