weird internet behavior

Hello. This si arabelleinbe again, this time sampling the internet section.

I know I'll probably sound mad as a hatter but here's my question anyway: is it possible for someone near my house to piggyback on my connection and leech it to the extent that I loose it (together with my temper)?
My connection has been going down repeatedly. I've checked with the provider but it's fine on his side, and the service tray icons tell me the connection is there. The odd things are the following: 1) this tends to happen at more or less the same time, i.e. on the week-ends, in the afternoon and in the evening (the evening problem stopped oddly enough when the foobtall championship started). 2) the only way for me to retrieve the connection is to either wait it out or remove the cable from the router and plug it back in (the black round one). When I do this the connection frequently comes back on but sometimes only for a short while. When it doesn't come back after several attempts and I've chewed my nails down to my knuckles , all I can do is leave it unplugged for a long time. After that it always comes back.

My connection was not secure for quite a while and I've changed that but it didn't cure my machine.

Feel free to tell me to see a therapist but if you have a practical suggestion as well I'll really be glad of it.
:banghead

 

If you are useing a wireless connection, then it is very possible. I would suggest setting a PW on your router alot of people just leave the routers login blank like "Admin" and no password, also set WPA or WEP protection if not allready done.
You can also try useing the regular wired connection and see if it does the same thing still.

 

It is possible your router was compromised earlier. You could try resetting your router (most of them have a button you hold down for 10 or so seconds). When doing this all port forwards and settings will be reset to default. Your first course of action will be to change the router's password, and add in WEP key security. This will prevent anyone from touching your router. Ever. (WEP keys are VERY difficult to hack, I believe there are only a few instances where it would even be possible).

Another thing that might be helpful is changing the router's channel so it doesn't conflict with cordless phones or other Wireless routers in the area.