| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 62011 | 2005-09-24 02:42:00 | Wireless broadband security question | annie (6010) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 390480 | 2005-09-24 02:42:00 | My daughter is in a student hostel in London, and has just bought a laptop with wireless broadband capability. She was told wireless broadband was unavailable to the hostel, so arranged dialup instead. However, a couple of times recently, the computer announces that wireless broadband is available, and would she like to use it? So she went ahead and used it, but is now wondering if she is stealing someone's bandwidth. I do know that there is free wireless broadband available in some areas of London, so she may be doing no harm. How do we tell, does anyone know? Thanks for any pointers |
annie (6010) | ||
| 390481 | 2005-09-24 02:52:00 | Her laptop may have onboard wireless, not free wireless internet, which I very much doubt, would be free. If her laptop has onboard wireless, it maybe picking up the next door neighbours wireless card / access point, or something. Which isnt secure, and which isnt encrypted so anyone near it can get access through it to the internet. For free. Onboard wireless isnt the same as wireless internet. You still have to join to get on the net to use it. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 390482 | 2005-09-24 03:29:00 | I say use it, as long as she is not downloading huge files hogging the bandwith, but for just checking emails and surfing that's fine.. Some people keep there networks open for this very reason, they have no problems people using it as kong as they respect it..especially in a place where they probably don't have any data caps.. |
plod (107) | ||
| 390483 | 2005-09-24 03:37:00 | Dunno bout that Plod, wireless or broadband isnt cheap . I wouldnt let any tom, dick or harry use my access, If I was paying for it . Would you? BUT then wherever she's gettting access on the net (If she's not paying for it), thats their prob . Thats what u get for not having a secure / unencrypted wireless connection! |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 390484 | 2005-09-24 03:44:00 | Thanks, she'll stop using it, then. Thanks for your replies. | annie (6010) | ||
| 390485 | 2005-09-24 03:44:00 | well speedy for my data cap I wouldn't let any one touch mine, I do have relatives in both the states and england with uncapped plans, and they leave it open for that very reason.. Wouldn't it be great going on holiday with the ability to check your emails with your own laptop, because some nice person has left network open for that person and in return he/she comes accross the same thing.. |
plod (107) | ||
| 390486 | 2005-09-24 03:52:00 | Good on them, it most probably isnt as much as a ripoff as it is here in NZ! To pay for uncapped plans . So people could do it here in NZ . |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 390487 | 2005-09-24 10:58:00 | My daughter is in a student hostel in London, and has just bought a laptop with wireless broadband capability. She was told wireless broadband was unavailable to the hostel, so arranged dialup instead. However, a couple of times recently, the computer announces that wireless broadband is available, and would she like to use it? So she went ahead and used it, but is now wondering if she is stealing someone's bandwidth. I do know that there is free wireless broadband available in some areas of London, so she may be doing no harm. How do we tell, does anyone know? Thanks for any pointers She could enquire with the hostel to see if they know if anyone has an "open" wireless network in the area. I think from my readings, it is technically stealing if you login to someones network without approval and use their resources but leaving a wireless network unsecured is not good practice. |
dolby digital (5073) | ||
| 390488 | 2005-09-24 12:46:00 | I was at my inlaws last night in Auckland with my laptop . There were 3 unsecured wireless networks in the area, all allowed me to connect and browse the web to my heart's content . People should really secure their access . :eek: |
Jester (13) | ||
| 390489 | 2005-09-24 21:12:00 | She could enquire with the hostel to see if they know if anyone has an "open" wireless network in the area. I think from my readings, it is technically stealing if you login to someones network without approval and use their resources but leaving a wireless network unsecured is not good practice. Yes, we tried that first - according to the hostel wireless broadband isn't available at all in the area. Apparently the service is detectable all the time, but often the alert says the signal is too weak to use, so it may be a local hotspot somewhere. Anyway, she's decided to try and find out if she can get commercial supply Thanks for your input |
annie (6010) | ||
| 1 2 | |||||