Question Find out if computer contains "secret" / "hidden" hardware?

[hotaru.hino]

For that rogue hardware to have any effect (steal my data etc.), it would require my laptop to be connected to the internet? (otherwise they would have to be withing bluetooth / radio distance).
And if the rogue hardware somehow was connected via cellular, my laptop would have internet?

No. They could simply get in range of the device. The Soviets came up with the first instance of technology that we use in RFID tags and the US was unaware of this until someone by chance happened upon the radio frequency they were using.

1.
If some radio, Bluetooth, network / wifi transmitter hardware was put in my laptop without my knowledge. The traffic of that hardware, could I monitor that in Windows?
Im familiar with the embedded Windows Resource Monitor.

It depends. If it's running on Windows' driver stack, you can probably sniff it on Windows. If it's running on its own, then no, you'll have to find some sort of wireless network packet sniffer. And that's assuming it's using a standardized format.

2.
Is there ways to monitor around / outside the laptop, if something malicious shady is going on / traffic?
My phone for example can scan for Bluetooth devices and wifi networks.

No. If someone is sniffing your traffic, there's no way to tell.

 

[DSzymborski]

This is a galaxy beyond normal levels of caution.

 

[helper800]

The odds of someone placing a device on your laptop vs stealing it are extremely low. That is after you factor in the odds of someone trying to get physical access to your laptop, which is also extremely low, instead of just infiltrating it via whatever networks you connect to via an immense number of methods and approaches to doing so.

TLDR; if someone knew you had sensitive data and were skilled enough, then odds are they already have what they needed and you would be none the wiser.

 

[hotaru.hino]

At this point, OP should just stay off the internet if they're that paranoid.

 

[Corwin65]

If the level of concern you are showing is validated by the work you are doing, then there would be equipment that is issued to you that would have to be thoroughly vetted by a department who's sole purpose is dealing with what you are questioning. Have a cup of tea and go about your business.

 

[emilfrederiksen]

At this point, OP should just stay off the internet if they're that paranoid.

Network cards and Bluetooth has already been disabled in Device Manager in Windows.

 

[emilfrederiksen]

No. They could simply get in range of the device. The Soviets came up with the first instance of technology that we use in RFID tags and the US was unaware of this until someone by chance happened upon the radio frequency they were using.


It depends. If it's running on Windows' driver stack, you can probably sniff it on Windows. If it's running on its own, then no, you'll have to find some sort of wireless network packet sniffer. And that's assuming it's using a standardized format.


No. If someone is sniffing your traffic, there's no way to tell.

So yes, they would have to be within "range"?

And if the rogue hardware somehow was connected via cellular / satellite, my laptop would have internet?

 

[USAFRet]

And if the rogue hardware somehow was connected via cellular / satellite, my laptop would have internet?

No it would not.

 

[emilfrederiksen]

No it would not.

So a computer can have internet connection, without it actually being shown as online in Windows?

 

[DSzymborski]

So a computer can have internet connection, without it actually being shown as online in Windows?

Just because there's a device attached to your computer does not mean that you can interact with it in a way that the device does not intend you to do so.

All this is theoretical, of course, and should not be considered as realistic. I'd recommend watching fewer movies.

 

[hotaru.hino]

If you're paranoid about wireless transmissions, I suggest you go look up what a Faraday Cage is.

 

[emilfrederiksen]

Just because there's a device attached to your computer does not mean that you can interact with it in a way that the device does not intend you to do so.

All this is theoretical, of course, and should not be considered as realistic. I'd recommend watching fewer movies.

So yes, rogue hardware can give internet to my laptop, without me being able to see that im online in Windows / access mail etc. through a browser?

 

[emilfrederiksen]

If you're paranoid about wireless transmissions, I suggest you go look up what a Faraday Cage is.

I know what it is. But that is "next level" / way too drastic. But thanks for your input

 

[DSzymborski]

I know what it is. But that is "next level" / way too drastic. But thanks for your input

"Too drastic" is a threshold that was passed many posts ago. There's caution and then there's paranoia.

 

[doolittle]

Personally I would boot up a linux live usb like ubuntu and get versed with the "dmidecode" and "lspci" outputs, and compare to your windows device manager list.

Temped to recommend Kali linux so you can query your local network, look into it when you are a bit more versed with linux overall...

 

[USAFRet]

Temped to recommend Kali linux so you can query your local network

Thats like recommending an F1 car to a first year driver who is already timid behind the wheel.

 

[mdd1963]

This seems potentially needed in... large amounts!

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