School Networks and Firewalls

[Hatz]

Hey there everyone. Got a question about college networks if any of you know about it. My friend goes to school at a university and of course lives in the dorms. Well they have a network for all the kids to be able to get high speed connections.

His problem is this. A kid that lives in his dorm works in the computer lab at the school and claims he has access to the computers throughout the dorm. Well, he had his computer named a certain name but switched it because this kid was getting into his stuff when he didn't even know. He then changed his name on the computer but the kid found out this new name and could still get files if he wanted to. So this makes me believe he atleast has access to the names on the network.

Now my buddy doesn't have a firewall up of any kind....first mistake. But alot of the college dorms have firewalls in their network. I still said he should get his own.

Would him using ZoneAlarm or another type of firewall, block this kid from getting in? Even if he does have access to the schools network? Usually you tell what you want the firewall to allow and not allow. So if he allowed only outgoing stuff he knew was legit and not allow suspicious incoming stuff, would he keep this kid out?

If it continues he should atleast notify someone of this kid taking files off his computer. But, would a firewall stop him instead? Thanks for the help.

Hatz

[pacmania_2001]

Notify the college administration and IT management about the kid hacking into other people's computers.

Most universitys/colleges these days require their students to sign a form regarding things like misuse of the school's network for things like hacking, warez and abuse and if the offence can be proven then the person doing it can be punished through a variety of ways (normally the worse is expulsion from the college).

I would recommend that he installs a firewall if not to protect his computer but to record the intrusions for proof if the matter is taken further.

Those are the diplomatic ways however you could always get a few guys together to pay a visit to the guy and 'lean' on him to stop doing it.