wireless web conections Options

[miix-tape]

if you connect to someone else's wireless web can they get into your computer or find out any of your information?

[M16A4]

Right. In summation:

Yes, it is possible for anybody to connect to your network, but only if you don't know how to set up a wireless network PROPERLY. People always just plug it in and, if it works, just leave it alone afterwards, leaving their network completely unprotected.

This kind of thing can be solved in three ways:

Enabling WEP: Although not absolutely secure, can suffice for most home networks. Enthusiastic hackers can still crack your WEP key, but to be honest, nobody has the effort to just go around everybody's houses and start cracking keys.

Enabling WPA: Almost every kind of wireless hardware is compatible with WEP. Unfortunately, that can't be said the same for WPA. Although if you do have WPA, this kind of security should keep out virtually everybody from your network that you don't want them to connect to. It's more secure than WEP, but you only get WPA if your router or adapter hardware supports it.

Consult your manual for other security protocols: Seriously, the number one source of all wireless security problems start with the network administrator. If everybody knows how to properly set up a wireless home network, stuff like wardriving wouldn't exist.