Damage Computer By Using Two Connections At The Same Time ?

[bow]

I can connect to the internet via my workplace wifi and via my mobile phone.

It seems to be possible to run both connections at the same time, but I worry that it might damage my computer.

Why would I want to do this ? The wifi has some sort of filter that stops me from downloading stuff, my mobile does not. (Of course, I only download things that I can legally download.)

[Crossy]

No issue whatever apart from my caveat below, what operating system are you using? Windows 7 and above is able to decide which connection to use for best results.

Do however be aware, that as you are effectively bypassing any security which your employer has implemented to protect his system, you may be breaching your terms of employment.

[lemonjelly]

No issue whatever apart from my caveat below, what operating system are you using? Windows 7 and above is able to decide which connection to use for best results.

Do however be aware, that as you are effectively bypassing any security which your employer has implemented to protect his system, you may be breaching your terms of employment.

A mobile signal isn't using his employer's system....

[ThaidDown]

No issue whatever apart from my caveat below, what operating system are you using? Windows 7 and above is able to decide which connection to use for best results.

Do however be aware, that as you are effectively bypassing any security which your employer has implemented to protect his system, you may be breaching your terms of employment.

A mobile signal isn't using his employer's system....

op says he connects 'via my workplace wifi' therefore he is using his employers system.

Obviously if he connects via 3g/Edge etc he is not.

[Crossy]

He intends connecting to both networks at the same time.

I don't know how well Windows separates the two networks, but these is a potential issue, the employer has put filters and security in place for a reason.

[Chicog]

You run the risk of bypassing your company's security filters and therefore exposing their IT infrastructure to an enormous amount of threats. Which would probably get you sacked in many companies. What does your company Information Security Policy say about this? Connect your phone to your company Wifi with their permission. Connect your company's network directly to the Internet and you deserve a slap.

http://map.honeynet.org/

Edited March 12, 2013 by Chicog

[astral]

I am not sure that you can connect to, and use two different networks

simultaneously, well not with XP

I was trying this a couple of years back and it just did not work.

I don't remember which took priority the wireless or the lan cable

I do know I had to disconnect one for the other to work.

Window 7/8 may be a different matter.

BUT I am sure it will not damage your computer.

[Crossy]

ForceBindIP http://www.r1ch.net/stuff/forcebindip/ could be useful (certainly for XP users), rather old so no warranty implied or inferred.

[bow]

Thnk you, your answers are very interesting.

I think you are saying that bad things can enter my computer via my mobile and then do a sort of u-turn and enter the workplace system via my wifi connection ?

Another complication that I didn't understand is that my computer might choose one of the connections and ignore the other one. I am connected, but the computer will not use the connection.

(I have win 7.)

[bangkokburning]

You can connect with multiple connections in W7 by "bridging connection", very easy but I read there was potentially security issues.

[Crossy]

I think you are saying that bad things can enter my computer via my mobile and then do a sort of u-turn and enter the workplace system via my wifi connection ?

Yes, this is a potential issue.

Much depends how W7 handles the two connections. It may be a non-issue and perfectly secure, but personally I would be worried if one of my employees was running such an arrangement inside my corporate firewall.

[Chicog]

It doesn't matter if you are connected to both at the same time.

An infection that comes over your mobile can quite easily hop straight into your corporate network as soon as you reconnect it.

Do NOT connect your company's corporate network directly to the Internet or bad things are extremely likely to happen.

Again, does your company not have an IT Security policy?

[bow]

It doesn't matter if you are connected to both at the same time.

An infection that comes over your mobile can quite easily hop straight into your corporate network as soon as you reconnect it.

Do NOT connect your company's corporate network directly to the Internet or bad things are extremely likely to happen.

Again, does your company not have an IT Security policy?

No, they wouldn't know what a security policy is if you hit them over the head with one (figuratively speaking). This is Thailand.

Your comment raise another point. I take my laptop with me everywhere. If I can find free wifi I will use that. If there is no wifi and I need to get onto the internet urgently I use my mobile.

Are you suggesting that I should never connect to the internet outside my workplace protected connection ? Then I would need two laptops, one for work and one for play.

[Dork]

It doesn't matter if you are connected to both at the same time.

An infection that comes over your mobile can quite easily hop straight into your corporate network as soon as you reconnect it.

Do NOT connect your company's corporate network directly to the Internet or bad things are extremely likely to happen.

Again, does your company not have an IT Security policy?

No, they wouldn't know what a security policy is if you hit them over the head with one (figuratively speaking). This is Thailand.

Your comment raise another point. I take my laptop with me everywhere. If I can find free wifi I will use that. If there is no wifi and I need to get onto the internet urgently I use my mobile.

Are you suggesting that I should never connect to the internet outside my workplace protected connection ? Then I would need two laptops, one for work and one for play.

I had the same thought. Almost everyone in my office has a phone or tablet hopping between 3G and wifi. Nothing bad happens.

[Crossy]

OK chaps let's keep it civil, several posts with name calling and insults removed.

[Crossy]

Are you suggesting that I should never connect to the internet outside my workplace protected connection ? Then I would need two laptops, one for work and one for play.

Depends who you work for. Many corporate entities do not permit personal machines to connect to their internal networks, in which case yes, you would need two laptops.

I did a six month contract for a major aerospace manufacturer in Singapore (think Airbus pitot tubes) without being able to use the corporate network. I could connect to the web via their visitor Wi-Fi but had to get our secretary to print documents because I had no access to the printer. I never did manage to collect my email from the address they provided because the rules wouldn't let me use my personal machine (not even via the external web interface), nor would those same rules allow them to configure the mail server to forward to my personal email address.

Whilst it didn't help with the above (they are just too big) I normally maintain two virtual partitions as a multi-boot, one for work and one for play. The partitions cannot see one another so the chances of something nasty getting into the work network from my play activities is much reduced (but not totally eliminated).

[Mrjlh]

The issue as I understand it is he wants to connect his computer to his company's WiFi and also connect the same computer through his phones WiFi at the same time.

With Win 7 and XP you can do this if you have the correct cable and you know how to set it up. Would you want to? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Will it damage the computer? Only if you download a virus from your phone's connection. How risky is it? VERY There are now reports coming in on malware and viruses being downloaded into phones and then into computers when files are transferred. They are now offering anti-virus programs for phones! Should give you an idea of the danger.

Value your job? That's up to you. Frankly, with all the potential threats out there today, it's pretty dumb idea. Cleaver but dumb.

[bow]

Again, thank you all. I have learnt a lot these last two days.

Amazing that my innocent little question has caused name calling and insults !

Maybe I should also apologize for my sloppy language and awful grammar.

Edited March 14, 2013 by bow

[Chicog]

A certain large company that got a major infection and attack last year now mandates all of its staff undergoing security awareness training. If they do not pass, they are not let loose on the company's network.

Perhaps a bit of reading would be advisable:

http://www.staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online/