Random shared device and security

[czordk]

I'm still on Mavericks 10.9.5 and today a random device popped on Finder.
I live in a dorm and we use the university network, but I'm connected to the wireless network of my TP-Link TL-WR710N. That got me concerned for security (whether someone was using my network or not).

My router is configured to disable SSID broadcast and uses WPA2 with a 63-letter password (a random mix of uppercase, lowercase and some symbols like /\!()$%&). MAC filtering is enabled and only three devices are allowed: my Macbook Pro, my Galaxy S4 and my Kindle (no girlfriend, unfortunately), and I enable friends' devices when I need, but then disable them again.

I use Chrome with Flash disabled.

However, firewall and file vault were not activated until today. When this device popped up I had bluetooth turned on for the mouse and the Console showed some AirPlay messages.

Could this be a device of an intruder?
What further steps could I take to improve security? How do you usually secure your Macs/networks?

I appreciate any advice on this.

 

[Command]

I'm still on Mavericks 10.9.5 and today a random device popped on Finder.
I live in a dorm and we use the university network, but I'm connected to the wireless network of my TP-Link TL-WR710N. That got me concerned for security (whether someone was using my network or not).

My router is configured to disable SSID broadcast and uses WPA2 with a 63-letter password (a random mix of uppercase, lowercase and some symbols like /\!()$%&). MAC filtering is enabled and only three devices are allowed: my Macbook Pro, my Galaxy S4 and my Kindle (no girlfriend, unfortunately), and I enable friends' devices when I need, but then disable them again.

I use Chrome with Flash disabled.

However, firewall and file vault were not activated until today. When this device popped up I had bluetooth turned on for the mouse and the Console showed some AirPlay messages.

Could this be a device of an intruder?
What further steps could I take to improve security? How do you usually secure your Macs/networks?

I appreciate any advice on this.

Pretty soon you're going to lock yourself out... FileVault is very useful but really only if someone steals your Mac - but it's good to use. As long as you have a password on your Mac, it's secure. You'll always see things in Console - it's what the scammers use to show the naive to scare them into buying their 'support'. If you have Sharing turned on in System Preferences, as well as if any devices - even a router - broadcast a Bonjour iD, it'll show up in Finder under shared. This does not by any means indicate that someone has access to your Mac or files, etc.

 

[czordk]

If you have Sharing turned on in System Preferences, as well as if any devices - even a router - broadcast a Bonjour iD, it'll show up in Finder under shared.

Yes, I went straight to check if sharing was enabled but it wasn't. All the checkboxes are unchecked. So if a device in another room broadcasts a Bonjour ID it will show up here?

 

[chabig]

Could this be a device of an intruder?
What further steps could I take to improve security? How do you usually secure your Macs/networks?

I appreciate any advice on this.

You have nothing to worry about. You share a building with dorm residents and their presence doesn't mean that the stuff in your room is insecure. Likewise, devices on local networks don't make the stuff on your Mac insecure. They are simply visible. Nothing more. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Command]

Yes, I went straight to check if sharing was enabled but it wasn't. All the checkboxes are unchecked. So if a device in another room broadcasts a Bonjour ID it will show up here?

That's exactly how it will work. Other devices sharing & broadcasting will show up there on your Mac.