Wireless Network Query

[GABS]

My girlfriend has just got a new Dell laptop and has not setup an internet access however we have just logged on here using a "NETGEAR" unsecure wireless network... whats all that about !?!?!? There is also a network connection called "Marie" but this requires a p/w to connect.

MY main question then is are we paying for this connection (considering we have not given any CC details etc to any ISP) and is it a 'safe' connection if I install a firewall / anti-virus etc ?

I have a bog standard BB connection to a desktop at home and am not at all clued up on WIFI and the like.

As ever any info is appreciated ! Cheers

G

[Luton Bee]

A wireless connection (by it's nature) could be comming from any compatable source. By the sounds of it you may well be picking up one of the neighbours unsecured connections. If you are worried that it may be yours that is insecure, simply turn off your BB router and see if the connection drops, if it doesn't then you are using someone else's bandwidth.

[Banana]

Knock on neighbours doors
Ask if Marie lives there
When you find here - ask the name of her cat :sorted:

[FarnhamBee]

Knock on neighbours doors
Ask if Marie lives there
When you find here - ask the name of her cat :sorted:

rofl

[Alex]

Just carry on using it until you get found out. It won't be costing you anything so don't worry about it. Just put a firewall on her machine to stop anyone else using that network being able to get at your machine.

[GABS]

Cool - cheers all. When I left her gaff a few hours ago it was 11mbps... all for free ! :D

Just seen Wee Dave's post on this dated in Jan, surely one of the best great "unknown" freebees of the decade thus far ! :sorted:

[GABS]

>BUMP<

Right my flatmate has just got a nice new Sony Vaio and when he tries to connect as per above he is having no luck as the green connection bar thingy is just showing grey bars instead of a few green ones as per usual.

Think its odd that its picking up networks but they don't seem to be "broadcasting" ? Anyone able to shed any light on this ?

Cheers

G

[Moysy]

>BUMP<

Right my flatmate has just got a nice new Sony Vaio and when he tries to connect as per above he is having no luck as the green connection bar thingy is just showing grey bars instead of a few green ones as per usual.

Think its odd that its picking up networks but they don't seem to be "broadcasting" ? Anyone able to shed any light on this ?

Cheers

G

As a first rule of securing wireless networks you can turn off the SSID (the wireless access points name) broadcast. This way you need to know what the access point is called to associate with it.

[Simon T]

You could try downloading netstumbler from http://www.netstumbler.com/ and see if your flatmate can find out more information about the networks nearby :sorted:

[Ronan]

I just tried searching for wireless connections and found 3, 1 unsecured. It allowed me to connect to it, and now my speed is roughly 56MPS. Is that legal?