Unsecured Wireless Network...

flatsoen · 04-01-2006, 11:57 PM

I'm paying Comcast over $50 a month for the internet, but I recently moved and there is an unsecured wireless network available, configured for open access. Could someone inform me of the dangers that might be lurking? It seems very tempting...

Thanks!

Trizoy · 04-02-2006, 12:07 AM

In many cases this would be considered stealing, are you a thief?

Lets say your next door neighbor had a water faucet facing your house... Why pay the water bill, when there is free water from nextdoor.

BUT, if you ask the neightbor, and they dont mind... Then who cares?

davidireland · 04-02-2006, 12:12 AM

The danger lurking is being banned from this forum.

haynea4f · 04-02-2006, 10:09 AM

You know it is a good thing you ask this question. At my house I have a wireless connection. The guy that lives next door to me has his computer in a room that is closest to my house. so I know he can pick up my wireless connection with no problems.

At first I didnt think too much of it but what if this guy is looking at child porn or something like that on my internet connection?

I want to block him from being able to use it, how do I do that?

**dragon2309** · 04-02-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidireland

The danger lurking is being banned from this forum.

i dont actually think this is against any forum rules, he hasnt actaulyl said he has connected to it yet, so we have to go on the assumption that he hasn and isnt planning to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haynea4f

I want to block him from being able to use it, how do I do that?

well, in your router there will be several config pages, try loking around for such things as WEP encryption and try to hde your SSID (Network Name). Also, try starting you wn thread next time, it helps make people WANT to help you as opposed to hijacking this poor guys thread here. ok

dragon

davidireland · 04-02-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatsoen

...It seems very tempting...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon2309

i dont actually think this is against any forum rules, he hasnt actaulyl said he has connected to it yet, so we have to go on the assumption that he hasn and isnt planning to.

Okay fair enough. But if someone were asking, "hey guys, pirated software is mighty tempting...what are the dangers?" im sure he or she would be warned, so i thought it would be best i treat this this same way.

**dragon2309** · 04-02-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidireland

Okay fair enough. But if someone were asking, "hey guys, pirated software is mighty tempting...what are the dangers?" im sure he or she would be warned, so i thought it would be best i treat this this same way.

good point, i guess it could go either way really.

flatsoen · 04-02-2006, 08:04 PM

Oh dear, I thought that open access actually meant that access was open to any and all, same as in a library for example. I was just scared that they might be able to hijack my computer...

davidireland · 04-03-2006, 01:05 AM

Well yes, they could hijack your computer; quite easily actually.

The reason its unsecured is because they are unaware of the risks that come with unsecured wireless internet. I'll bet if they did they'd have it secured. (Maybe mention it to them, im sure theyd be greatful actually)
Having it unsecured leaves it open for anyone to connect first of all, and then once an outsider does connect, he or she has access to any shares on the network and can hack into the PC's connected to the network. Might wanna give them a heads up.

04-01-2006, 11:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
flatsoen New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	Unsecured Wireless Network... I'm paying Comcast over $50 a month for the internet, but I recently moved and there is an unsecured wireless network available, configured for open access. Could someone inform me of the dangers that might be lurking? It seems very tempting... Thanks!

04-02-2006, 12:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mountain View, Ca Posts: 4,664	In many cases this would be considered stealing, are you a thief? Lets say your next door neighbor had a water faucet facing your house... Why pay the water bill, when there is free water from nextdoor. BUT, if you ask the neightbor, and they dont mind... Then who cares? __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

04-02-2006, 12:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
davidireland Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ajax, ON Age: 19 Posts: 287	The danger lurking is being banned from this forum. __________________ Dave. AMD Athlon 64 4400+ HITACHI 100GB 7200RPM HDD 2GB RAM Vista Home Premium

04-03-2006, 01:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
davidireland Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ajax, ON Age: 19 Posts: 287	Well yes, they could hijack your computer; quite easily actually. The reason its unsecured is because they are unaware of the risks that come with unsecured wireless internet. I'll bet if they did they'd have it secured. (Maybe mention it to them, im sure theyd be greatful actually) Having it unsecured leaves it open for anyone to connect first of all, and then once an outsider does connect, he or she has access to any shares on the network and can hack into the PC's connected to the network. Might wanna give them a heads up. __________________ Dave. AMD Athlon 64 4400+ HITACHI 100GB 7200RPM HDD 2GB RAM Vista Home Premium

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04-02-2006, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
haynea4f Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 127	You know it is a good thing you ask this question. At my house I have a wireless connection. The guy that lives next door to me has his computer in a room that is closest to my house. so I know he can pick up my wireless connection with no problems. At first I didnt think too much of it but what if this guy is looking at child porn or something like that on my internet connection? I want to block him from being able to use it, how do I do that?

04-02-2006, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
flatsoen New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	Oh dear, I thought that open access actually meant that access was open to any and all, same as in a library for example. I was just scared that they might be able to hijack my computer...