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?

[StarlitxFrosT]

I heard them talk about this the other day on the radio. and apparently not. :)))

I havent tried it but i hear its really easy to steal other ppls internets

[demolished]

Yep. Thats why my brother tell me not share networking with his laptop. So, my computer files are protected but his file isnt protected. At least, he doesnt have much files in his laptop.

[*mzkandi*]

Moved to Technology

[miix-tape]

ok.. i didn't understand fully? so does that mean if i connect that they can track down my lap top or just be able to connect with it?

[silver-rain]

Hmm, I don't think so... you're just stealing that other person's internet hah.
Well, at my home, we have 4 computer connected onto the same wireless web, and we can't access any of the files of any of the computers.

[Levy2k6]

you might... to protect urself, all u need to do is put a firewall or make sure ur stuff isnt "shared" on ur computer.... like go to MY NETWORK PLACES and click on someone else and see what u get from them..

[pshaa.shauna]

Hmm, I don't think so... you're just stealing that other person's internet hah.
Well, at my home, we have 4 computer connected onto the same wireless web, and we can't access any of the files of any of the computers.

Yeah same here. Only we only have 3 computers sharing but yeah. Unless there is a hacker way of doing it no.

[artislife90]

Its still illegal to connect to someone else's internet connection, since after all your stealing the service.

My computer can connect to about 10 different wireless networks around my neighborhood, I have never really tried to connect to them though...

[SkaironFrenzy]

yea i think they can. i saw something on it on CNN about T-moblie's hotspot. People can have this program that can get your cred. number and things like that. so yea.

[demolished]

you might... to protect urself, all u need to do is put a firewall or make sure ur stuff isnt "shared" on ur computer.... like go to MY  NETWORK PLACES and click on someone else and see what u get from them..

Same here.

[miix-tape]

ya, i used to have a couple computers hooked up too. theres a couple but 1 is perfered for my laptop. in this town there is an antenna on 1 of the stores & im not sure how it works but thats what they use to get high speed into houses cuz theres only like 100 ish houses. but anyway i was just wondering if i could get in trouble becuase i couldnt download my program off my uncle's dial up.

[sheridan_whitesi...]

If someone isn't encrypting their wireless connection, they probably can't get your information, much less even know you're using their internets. Unless you're conspicuously parked outside their house with a laptop. (has happened before) Of course, with some tools, you can see who is on your network, kick them off, get their info, what have you, but again if they don't know how to encrypt their access point, then they won't know how to do that.

[miix-tape]

haha well i wouldnt be parked outsite their house... that'd be a sight tho lol. i kinda feel bad but i duno? its not hurting them or costing them money is it?

[*mipadi*]

i kinda feel bad but i duno? its not hurting them or costing them money is it?

Not really... You are using up their bandwidth, which can make the network run more slowly overall. You might also want to be forewarned that their have been successful prosecutions for people using someone else's wireless network to connect to the Internet, even if that network is not encrypted or otherwise locked down in any way.

[lilaznbabii93]

wow i cant even find out how to get a wireless connection Im so dumb right?? lol ok....

[DaTru KataLYST]

It is currently illegal to piggyback off someone's wireless internet connection w/o their consent. I don't know why. All I know is people have been arrested for it.

As for getting files from other computers in the network - perfectly plausible.

Windows has an option to make your files "shared." As in, all your folders/files marked "shared" will be up for grabs for other computers in the network. This is helpful if you want to transfer documents from one computer to another.

Even if your files/folders are not "shared," it's just an easy task for a hacker to enter your harddrive. It's not a myth, people can control your computer's harddrive and download data w/o your knowledge and consent.

I wouldn't be worried though, the average PC person doesn't have to be worried that some evil guy will hack into their harddrive and blackmail them. Just keep your files not shared, and you'll be fine!

[ClaudelGFX]

Heh, its kinda a big story about anykind of Wireless Connections, anyway if they have the knowledge and you don't really know how to secure your computers they can,
1. use your internet connection
2. connect to/thru all your LAN/WAN PC's
3. do whatever they want to you computer (including, using your printers/scanners/etc)

PS: Depends what NetAdmin you have or who setup your Wireless Devices (hard/software).

[ClaudelGFX]

Not really... You are using up their bandwidth,

Since all ISPs in this world are working with Bandwidth limits and so, more Bandwidth used means more money or just slowing the overall Bandwidth when reaching its limits, and even can't use`it because it will be below the normal limit, so eventually you will have to pay so they can rise your Daily/Weekly/Monthly Bandwidth Limit. (All transfers between Computers who are on the same LAN/WAN its not counted, because those are only Intranet connections or just LAN/WAN P2P, so these doesnt consume any Bandwidth)

[ThunderEvermore]

Since all ISPs in this world are working with Bandwidth limits and so, more Bandwidth used means more money or just slowing the overall Bandwidth when reaching its limits, and even can't use`it because it will be below the normal limit, so eventually you will have to pay so they can rise your Daily/Weekly/Monthly Bandwidth Limit. (All transfers between Computers who are on the same LAN/WAN its not counted, because those are only Intranet connections or just LAN/WAN P2P, so these doesnt consume any Bandwidth)

But if someone connects to your wireless netowork arent they making themselves part of that LAN/WAN whatever?

I mean, its the same thing as if I brough my laptop to my girlfriends house and just started using his internet.

[*mipadi*]

Well, that's what I'm saying--a network has a finite amount of bandwidth, and if you use someone else's without their consent, you are taking up a certain percentage of his bandwidth and thus potentially slowing his network down, depending on how much bandwidth you are using--which can make people mad.

[ThunderEvermore]

Well, that's what I'm saying--a network has a finite amount of bandwidth, and if you use someone else's without their consent, you are taking up a certain percentage of his bandwidth and thus potentially slowing his network down, depending on how much bandwidth you are using--which can make people mad.

Yeah. It splits the connection, like a router connected to multiple comps.

[*mipadi*]

Yeah. It splits the connection, like a router connected to multiple comps.

It's not so much a split of the connection, but rather an additional amount of network traffic being generated. A network can only handle so much data at once.

[ThunderEvermore]

It's not so much a split of the connection, but rather an additional amount of network traffic being generated. A network can only handle so much data at once.

Thats pretty much what Im getting at.

[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.