wireless internet bandits
 

does anyone know if when you have a wireless router for the web at your residence that is "not locked" (anyone can connect thru your service) and there may be a neighbor connecting to it....is there anyway to tell? In other words is there a history created by this router/signal, of computers that have used the wireless internet connection or anyway to Identify bandits using your wireless routers. Just curious--no problems with this yet.

yes if no lock - anybody near by has access to it ..AND they may have access to your computer ... why not just put a lock key on it ?

I would get a 4th computer on the list of users and an ip config. It was some one connecting to my signal (theres really only one house close enough to do it). SO I kicked them off the router, and locked the signal. I do know of one fellow here who called his netowrk "open router" and left it unlocked. I don't feel like paying for someone else internet.

As to if there a record. I should think ther'e dbe a record of Ip's kept in a file sme where, or I think you can set up a way to record that type of thing. I don't know much about it, but a quick browse of the internet would tell you all you need to know.

Ok, lets look at it from the other perspective. Lets say that I am the one recieving a wireless internet connection from someone elses wireless routers, can they see any info about me (ie. what I am looking at, who I am, etc.)

If they're smart, yes. If you have a prolonged history of stealing internet, you can be in some legal hotwater. If the person knows nothing, your ok. It's really all a moral question. Is stealing form a blind man ok?

Goodness, Its not really me. I am just wondering if someone can positively identify who, (if anyone) is using it for free....and what they have been doing with it. Mine is locked now but we were wondering about all this stuff. I think it would be hilarious if someone thinks they are being a smart fox by using free service off someone else if that someone else can indeed view the internet habits of the free hitchhiker. Then who is really the fox?? This was a dinner table subject a few days ago and none of us knew for sure how that works.

when i travel - i generally turn on the laptop - see what signals are available and get on networks that are unlocked ( most of time there a 2-3 unlocked at any given location) ... i haven't tried to look around to see what computers i can see - i just do my internet thing ( usually 15-20 min) and leave ...

I believe most, if not all, routers keep at least a short history or "log" of connections and clients. So yes, you should be able to view what computers connected to your router.

That depends. If the perpetrators in question gave their computer their own name ("Witt family computer," for instance) then you probably could. Otherwise, without hacking into their computer (not advisable, of course), probably not.

You could use some type of network monitoring software, but that's probably getting into more complicated territory than you would like.

Anyone who runs a wireless router needs to lock down their network tight. Otherwise they have a big security risk on their hands. It's like an open invitation for anyone to hack into their computers. Plus, there is the question of liability. Someone could hop onto your network and download pirated music or videos. Or worse yet, pornographic content.

I recommend reading this post by me for advice on securing a network. While there are some specific instructions for a particular router, the general suggestions apply across the board.

I was travelling and checked in at a motel. On the list of the added services you could get billed for was wireless internet. I didn't care to do that so I just took the room. What was the second thing I did after unpacking? Trying to see if my laptop could get wireless. Heh. Guess what... they hadn't secured the wireless they were selling.

hey Keith,
What kinda plane do you fly for Air China. I've got my Commercial, single, multi-engine, instrument and working for a CFI one of these days. Flying is great....but expensive. I was gonna try to fly for a living but started working for the railroad and stayed there.

Steve, my user title on DVInfo is a bit of a joke, actually. No flying; just a name.

Just setting your domain or workgroup to a unique name to prevent access to other computers to your files.

"Is stealing form a blind man ok?"

I don't think it's as black and white as that. A lot of people, especially in urban areas, intentionally leave their signal unlocked. They WANT people to use it -- it's a way to stick it to the man.

yes, i knew some one who did that. I don't see how that's sticking it to the man tho? Some one is still paying for the connection and the bandwith is limited. Many cities now have public wireless internet, so i supose the man is as always, one step ahead of us?

Steve:

WEP encrypt your wireless router. It's as easy as pie. Here's why: There are actually doodyheads out there who drive around neighborhoods at all hours with a laptop attempting to use unencrypted routers so they may obtain free wireless internet service - or worse. Let's take the "or worse" example. Let's say that there's an internet criminal using the internet for criminal enterprise for any reason (You choose. Kiddy porn. Terrorist plots. Internet/ID/credit card theft) When the police discover your IP address was used by this nefarious fellow (unbeknownst to them at the time, however) who had been parked out front of your house to use your wireless, unencrypted internet service, you will now be the focus of their investigation. There is a small chance, and I mean a very small chance, that the police investigators are unevolved to the point where they hit your house with a search warrant to seize all of your computer equipment.

"B-b-but officers! I don't know what you're talking about! I didn't plan to blow up the post office! I know nothing about this! I am only a DV Info junkie!"

"Yeah yeah, sure buddy. Tell it to the judge. You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent..."

SOooooooooo... encrypt your router. I have a neighbor who's signal bleeds over to my computer and shows up in my "within range" icon on the task bar. But he's encrypted so I can't use his router to visit "Slick Willie's Jiggle Room."