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| Thread ID: 38642 | 2003-10-13 22:44:00 | Why Is Wifi Open To Neighbours | Winston001 (3612) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 182901 | 2003-10-13 22:44:00 | Can anyone explain why a neighbour or passerby could use my access point? As you might guess, I don't have one yet but one day soon.... Cheers Winston |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 182902 | 2003-10-13 22:55:00 | You can make a wireless network available to anybody (as they usually default to!) but you can also turn on encryption, which is highly recommended for security. A lot of people don't do this so their network is open to anybody. With encryption turned on, you have to set up a password / access key on the access point and all wireless network cards that you want to be able to have access. Without this you won't be able to use the network. |
CYaBro (73) | ||
| 182903 | 2003-10-14 00:52:00 | If you don't want to deal with encryption, you can use set mac address of each wireless device. Only those devices set will be able to connect to your network. Also you may find that the signal doesn't travel far anyway, unless using high gain antennae. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 182904 | 2003-10-14 01:13:00 | > use set mac address of each wireless device. ???????? Lost me there GF - can you elaborate. Also how would I know if I was using my own connection or the neighbours if piggybacking (if that is what is called) is so easy? Cheers Winston |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 182905 | 2003-10-14 01:32:00 | Each network adapter has a unique mac address . In the form of: MAC:XXXXXX-YYYYYY X and Y are alphanumeric . Its printed on the wireless adapters, and if you configure the Wireless Access Point to ONLY talk to a certain adapter or adapters, it will refuse connection with all others . As to how you would know if you were connected to your neighbours WAN, firstly you would have to have the same workgroup name . Thats quite likely though as most people are too lazy to change it from MSHOME . Then they would need to have no security (encryption/mac address) on the WAN . If all those are true, then you would know if you browsed through any other PCs on the Network and found directories that looked strange . Otherwise, it deserves to happen . Would they write their pin number on your cashflow card and leave it on their letterbox? No? Then why would they do it with their Network? But I think you overestimate the range on a standard WAP setup . Mine would not work "next door" . |
godfather (25) | ||
| 182906 | 2003-10-14 01:57:00 | Thankyou GF. My query arises because I heard a radio item about an executive who asked hotel reception if wifi was available and was told "No". Next morning he discovered his laptop had wifi access and then discovered a cruise liner docked close to the hotel. Fine, but how did he discover his laptop had wireless access suddenly. Would its card be endlessly searching for a signal? What if he was simply plugged into a phone connection? Why would the wireless card detect a signal and why would it bother to alert the user if a landline already existed? Maybe this story is simply generated by an enthusiast for the technology. Also according to PC World students wander around on the off chance of picking up a free broadband connection so it must be reasonably easy. |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 182907 | 2003-10-14 02:10:00 | > Fine, but how did he discover his laptop had wireless > access suddenly . Would its card be endlessly > searching for a signal? Yes they do . Thats the cards purpose in life . Having WiFi signal and actually being able to access the network are two different things . The PC will report a signal and the strength . Thats what the executive may have seen . It doesn't guarantee that he could access the network though . Artistic licence? > What if he was simply plugged > into a phone connection? Why would the wireless card > detect a signal and why would it bother to alert the > user if a landline already existed? Well, my laptop has both wired and wireless LAN connectors . If I connect to both it will use one, but tell me the other is available Take one away, it tells you, then uses the other . > Also according to PC World students wander around on > the off chance of picking up a free broadband > connection so it must be reasonably easy . Its called Warchalking . Look it up on Google . Its a sport in the CBD to travel around wirh a decent high gain aerial and see how many insecure networks there are . Some of the businesses have reasonable WAN installations that are capable of being picked up on the footpath . The Warchalkers write the info on the pavement in chalk for the next lot to find . Technically you could get a long range with a directional aerial at each end . In practice the WAP have omni-directional aerials, so that spoils half the distance . |
godfather (25) | ||
| 182908 | 2003-10-14 02:50:00 | Well Godfather you are a fount of wisdom. Most informative. Thankyou. Winston |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 182909 | 2003-10-14 04:16:00 | > Well Godfather you are a fount of wisdom . Most > informative . Thankyou . You are welcome . I was once in the position where I had to learn a lot quickly to avoid being relocated to Southland . (Invertarctica) As you can imagine, one needed no more incentive than that to study hard . WiFi will struggle down there, as the horizontal rain beats in straight from Antarctica, sweeping the signal away . . . brrrr . |
godfather (25) | ||
| 182910 | 2003-10-14 04:57:00 | Now now GF, I suppose everyone has their blind spots. As explained some months ago electrons actually like it a bit parky and shoot around with increased vigour in the South. Photons don't mind either. In fact being closer to one of the magnetic poles lets lots more photons get bent into our receivers. (hope there are no physicists here) Cheers Winston |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
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