Free wireless hotspots??

[Chimpcheng]

Hey peeps,

I have one of them fancy centrino notebooks with built in wireless using the 802.11b standard.

Anyway, I was sat at home and laying with some of the functions I've never used before such as the PC card slot and of course the wireless LAN switch. So, I turn on the wireless and took myself through to the Wirless Network Connection window in XP and ran a search for nearby wireless netoworks just to see what would happen.

Lo and behold it actually found an open access network called realpro. Anyway, I found that I can connect to it and use the internet with no loss of function or restriction nor was I asked for payment. :confused:

I've run a search on the net and I can't find out what realpro is? Does anyone else know? :confused: It's not on any wi-fi hotspot list I pull up off the net. My guess is that someone on my street has a wireless LAN and hasn't configured his/her firewalls. Any clues? Anyone? :confused:

[Taeho]

It may be a personal network. Do you live in an apartment complex or do you have neighbors close by your home? If they don't use MAC addresses for security, or have a network password, you may be picking up their signal.

TKDshane

[cybermonk]

It may be a personal network. Do you live in an apartment complex or do you have neighbors close by your home? If they don't use MAC addresses for security, or have a network password, you may be picking up their signal.

TKDshane

Yup, I have a friend who uses his neightboors high speed internet through his wireless network...its good...its sweet...its free :D

[bcullen]

Hey peeps,

I have one of them fancy centrino notebooks with built in wireless using the 802.11b standard.

Anyway, I was sat at home and laying with some of the functions I've never used before such as the PC card slot and of course the wireless LAN switch. So, I turn on the wireless and took myself through to the Wirless Network Connection window in XP and ran a search for nearby wireless netoworks just to see what would happen.

Lo and behold it actually found an open access network called realpro. Anyway, I found that I can connect to it and use the internet with no loss of function or restriction nor was I asked for payment. :confused:

I've run a search on the net and I can't find out what realpro is? Does anyone else know? :confused: It's not on any wi-fi hotspot list I pull up off the net. My guess is that someone on my street has a wireless LAN and hasn't configured his/her firewalls. Any clues? Anyone? :confused:

My guess is that it's a realtor in your area, they are notorious for wanting technology but not real savy about it's use. Any wireless system not using the built-in encryption is an open access point.

[Chimpcheng]

I live in a normal street, there are no shops or business properties nearby except for a take away and I don't suppose they'd have a lot of use for wireless networks :rolleyes:

I thought it was a one off, but logging on this morning I find that I can still connect to the same network. :confused: Best of all it's faster than my dial up connection but a little flaky as it's only a very low signal. Oh well, back to dial up it is for me :bang:

[YODA]

Aye - sounds like someone didn't set up their network securely.

Luckily it's not a stronger signal. The temptation to steal their bandwidth would be strong it seems.

[Chimpcheng]

Luckily it's not a stronger signal. The temptation to steal their bandwidth would be strong it seems.

Sure the temptation is there ;) but been a good chimp I'd rather pay for my internet access :Angel:

At the very least I know that my wireless capabilities work :p

[merlinmsk]

Luckily it's not a stronger signal. The temptation to steal their bandwidth would be strong it seems.

Yes it is, but the right thing to do would to find that person, and let them know what is going on, and kindly ask them to change the frequency. Then get your own net sevice :D

[Taeho]

If they are stupid enough to broadcast their signal with out so much as an access password, then they are asking for more than stolen bandwidth. Any hacker with few programs could easily gain access to their entire computer system.

We have apply named our home wireless network "BACKOFF" and WEP, and MAC secured it with serial number access for each individual PC. That is still risky. You really need to keep a close eye on your network these days.

You can use this tool called, NetStumbler (http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/netstumblerinstaller_0_4_0.exe) to detect any wireless networks in your area. It's very handy and free!

[cybermonk]

If they are stupid enough to broadcast their signal with out so much as an access password, then they are asking for more than stolen bandwidth. Any hacker with few programs could easily gain access to their entire computer system.


I agree but hackers are the good guys! :)

[merlinmsk]

yup, fighting for free software.

[Taeho]

I agree but hackers are the good guys! :)

"Good", that is until it's your PC they have invaded. :woo:


TKDshane

[cybermonk]

"Good", that is until it's your PC they have invaded. :woo:


TKDshane

Those would be the crackers.

[Chimpcheng]

Yes it is, but the right thing to do would to find that person, and let them know what is going on, and kindly ask them to change the frequency. Then get your own net sevice :D

You are correct, I have decided to drive around the immediate area, laptop on my, erm, lap trying to pinpoint the source of the signal. :rolleyes:

[Taeho]

Unless they have a signal booster, then it's most likey your immediate neighbors. The signal degrades very quickly through walls on standard wireless units.

TKDshane